Mark Stone’s scouting report starts with the same four words every time: Great with his stick.
The 26-year-old winger is excellent at creating turnovers, causing deflections and winning the puck along the boards because he’s worked hard to use his blade in ways other NHL players can’t. That commitment to his craft is why the 2010 sixth-round pick is expected to sign an eight-year extension worth $9.5 million annually with the Golden Knights.
“As a young player, I had to do a lot of things to even make it here,” Stone said. “I wasn’t a very good skater.