Mark Stone: Still Shining Bright, A Reminder of What Could Have Been for Ottawa

When Mark Stone was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, a wave of disappointment washed over many Ottawa Senators fans. Some consoled themselves with the thought that a long-term contract with the Senators might have seen Stone’s performance decline with age or injury. However, nearly seven years later, that theory has proven remarkably inaccurate.

With an impressive 60 points in 41 games, Stone remains a top-20 NHL scorer. His performance at the recent tournament in Milan, representing Canada, further solidified his status as an elite player. He was consistently noticeable on the ice, scoring in Canada’s dominant 5-0 victory over Czechia and even flashing the signature goal-scoring celebration beloved by Ottawa fans.

A Trade That Haunts Ottawa

The story of Mark Stone and the Ottawa Senators is now widely considered one of the biggest blunders in the team’s history. The handling of a star player, coupled with a meager return in the trade, continues to sting. Former Senators GM Pierre Dorion stated the organization only realized Stone was unlikely to re-sign days before the trade deadline. Yet, owner Eugene Melnyk publicly claimed the trade was part of a long-term rebuild plan – a conflicting narrative that raised eyebrows then, and continues to do so now.

Had Stone received a long-term extension, he could have provided invaluable veteran leadership to the young Senators locker room. Instead, the team traded him and subsequently spent years searching for a player with his unique combination of two-way skill and leadership qualities – a player they had already developed and then let slip away.

It’s easy to envision a different scenario: Stone succeeding Erik Karlsson as captain, mentoring young stars like Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, and Shane Pinto. Tkachuk’s father, Keith, even publicly urged the Senators to re-sign Stone, recognizing his significant impact on Brady’s development both on and off the ice. However, Dorion and Melnyk held the decision-making power.

A Lopsided Deal

Stone was traded to Vegas, along with forward Tobias Lindberg, for forward Oscar Lindberg, prospect Erik Brannstrom, and a second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft (Egor Sokolov). Dorion even proclaimed it his proudest day as GM, largely due to his excitement about Brannstrom, a prospect who ultimately failed to live up to expectations.

Vegas GM George McPhee, however, understood the value of what they were acquiring. “You don’t get players like (Mark Stone) very often,” McPhee stated. “Players this good aren’t available through trade very often.” And he was right. None of the players Vegas gave up made a significant impact for the Senators, with Belleville’s Jan Jenik, acquired in a later trade, not appearing to be in the team’s long-term plans.

A Lasting Impact

Tkachuk, a rookie at the time, openly expressed his appreciation for Stone. He described Stone’s mentorship and generosity, highlighting the personal connection they shared. The young Senators core was left to navigate their development without Stone’s guidance, relying on a new, inexperienced head coach.

Despite the trade, Stone maintains a close relationship with Tkachuk, even attending each other’s weddings. Imagine the potential of that partnership had they remained teammates for the past seven years.

What frustrates Senators fans is that Stone didn’t transform into a superstar in Vegas; he remained the elite two-way star and leader he was in Ottawa – a player most NHL teams would build around. For now, Sens fans can find solace in cheering for Stone as he represents Canada on the international stage, a bittersweet reminder of the one that got away.

Source: The Hockey News