Having played at hockeyâs highest level for coming on five full seasons, former Wheat King star Mark Stone has already made quite the name for himself.
Currently tied for 31st in league scoring with 50 points in 50 games he has become one of the sport's top scoring wingers. Where the 26 year old Winnipegger has also really proven his value is as hockeyâs king in the âtakeawayâ stat category, leading the league with 76 this season... eight more than the next best player.
Itâs that word âvalueâ thatâs become more and more a part of the conversation in recent months as Stone plays through a season and one year contact that pays a reported $7.35 million. While thereâs been a desire stated to stay in Ottawa if a contract can be worked out and Ottawa is believed to have recently made an offer, should he not sign a long-term contract he would become an unrestricted free agent and almost surely be in line for a raise on or after July 1.
Stoneâs status was recently mentioned as one of the stories to watch leading into the leagueâs Feb 25 trade deadline where itâs thought that if a contract extension hasnât happened a trade could take place. Sportscaster Pierre Maguire has gone as far as saying that if made available heâd be the leagues most in-demand:
Stone isnât the only member of the 2010 Memorial Cup runner-up to have had his name mentioned in trade speculation, with Michael Ferland and Brayden Schenn both also being noted in the media as possibilities to have new jerseys to wear before the end of February. While trade rumours are much more frequent than actual trades it should make for an interesting few weeks for those who like to follow the careers of players that have plied their trade in Brandon.
Partly because I'm sentimental and partly because I cant resist the urge to embed this particular Youtube clip, Iâd still like to see Stone, Schenn and Ferlandâs former 2010 teammate Jay Fehr get his due!