Golden Knights captain Mark Stone placed on injured reserve

Field Level Media|published: Thu 22nd February, 16:59 2024

Feb 12, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. credits: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone was placed on injured reserve Thursday due to an upper-body injury sustained during Tuesday's game against the Nashville Predators.

Stone, 31, was injured in a collision with Nashville's Yakov Trenin late in the second period of the 5-3 loss. Stone was hit in the area of his chest and ribs.

The Golden Knights don't yet have a possible return date for Stone, who leads the team with 53 points (16 goals, 37 assists) in 56 games.

"I don't have an idea on his return date. The medical team will update us as we go along," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said Thursday, hours before a home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. "We are going to miss him, obviously, but we have got to focus on the task at hand now."

Cassidy said Stone's latest injury isn't related to the back injury from last season for which Stone underwent surgery and missed three months before returning for the postseason.

Stone has 567 career points (212 goals, 355 assists) in 640 career games in 12 NHL seasons with the Ottawa Senators (2012-19) and the Golden Knights.

Vegas is close to getting star Jack Eichel back on the ice. Cassidy said Eichel might travel on the team's upcoming five-game road trip, which begins Saturday against Ottawa.

Eichel will miss his 15th straight game Thursday due to a lower-body injury sustained Jan. 11 against the Boston Bruins. Eichel has 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 42 games.

—Field Level Media