Mystery issue emerging in Vegas at the worst possible time

Something doesn’t feel quite right in Vegas and now, people around the league are starting to take notice.

According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, “a lot of people” are beginning to speculate about the health of Golden Knights captain Mark Stone. With the playoffs approaching, the timing couldn’t be more concerning.

Stone, who turns 34 in May, has battled a long list of injuries throughout his career. From back and lumbar issues that required surgery to wrist and lower-body injuries, the veteran winger has rarely had an easy season. This year has been no different, as he’s been limited to just 55 games.

And yet, despite the missed time, Stone has still managed to produce at an elite level. His 67 points rank him third among Vegas scorers, proving just how valuable he remains when healthy.

But that’s exactly the question: how healthy is he, really?

Kypreos raised the possibility that Stone could be facing a situation similar to “teammate” Alex Pietrangelo, whose body has broken down to the point where extended time off was necessary. Pietrangelo has spent the season on long-term injured reserve and is expected to remain there next year, freeing up $8.8 million in cap space for Vegas.

If Stone were to follow a similar path, it would not only raise serious concerns about his future: it would also dramatically impact the Golden Knights’ roster plans. With a $9.5 million cap hit, placing Stone on LTIR would open up significant financial flexibility for the team to retool.

For now, it remains speculation. But in Vegas, where bold moves are the norm, this is a situation that could quickly turn into something much bigger.