Stone Has 'full Confidence' Golden Knights' Core Can Win Again

Back-to-back early playoff exits since hoisting the 2023 Stanley Cup hasn't diminished Mark Stone's belief in the Vegas Golden Knights' core.

"I have full confidence that we're gonna get back with a chance to win," Stone said during the Golden Knights' end-of-year media availability Friday.

The Golden Knights fell to the Edmonton Oilers in five games in Round 2, getting shut out in Games 4 and 5. They lost to the Dallas Stars in seven games in Round 1 a year ago.

"I still have tons of belief. I still think our core group of guys is still playing at a very high level," Stone said. "Able to get some real good business done in signing some of our younger, mid-age players to keep them around, which is exciting. You know it's not going to be the exact same team coming back, there's going to be changes. I'm sure they'll be making some tweaks on what they feel went wrong at this time."

Vegas' front office signed several of its pending unrestricted free agents to extensions during the season, including Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, Adin Hill, Brett Howden, and Keegan Kolesar.

Reilly Smith, Brandon Saad, Victor Olofsson, and Ilya Samsonov are among the team's top remaining pending UFAs. Smith, an original Golden Knight who was brought back to Vegas at the trade deadline, hopes he can stick around.

"If there's an opportunity to stay here, that'd be great," Smith said. "I think I play well for this team. I think it's probably been the best hockey that I've played through my career wearing this jersey. It's a fun group to be a part of. It's a fun place to call home. My family loves it here. If there's a way to make it work, that would be great."

Notably eligible for an extension July 1 is leading scorer Jack Eichel.

"I think with that stuff it's sort of out of my control," Eichel said of potential contract negotiations. "I just try and focus on the things that I can control. It's a phenomenal place to play hockey and live."

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