ROLLING STONE PROVING TO BE LEADER THE SENS HOPED FOR
Alternate captain off to hot start this year while also playing a solid two-way game
Mark Stone looks like a man on a mission.
As the Ottawa Senators faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in a rematch of last spring’s Eastern Conference final Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre, it wouldn’t have been difficult to argue the club’s 25-year-old winger has been Ottawa’s best forward this season and secondbest player behind captain Erik Karlsson.
Not only did Stone enter the game against the Penguins with 12 goals and 19 points in 16 games this season, he had compiled nine goals and 13 points in the club’s last nine games and if he can keep this pace up through the course of the season he’ll play a huge role in the club’s return to the playoffs next spring.
Last year, though 16 games, Stone had three goals and eight points and he’s made an effort this season to not pass up on opportunities.
He has played mostly with centre Derick Brassard and they’ve developed good chemistry together. They were dangerous with winger Bobby Ryan before he broke his finger last month against Toronto, haven’t really missed a beat since he left and it was Mike Hoffman who took a turn in that spot against Pittsburgh.
“I think I’m shooting the puck more and trying to get open for my teammates,” Stone said after Thursday’s morning skate. “I think as a group we’re producing a lot of offence and most of the goals we score are pretty simple.
“They’re not incredible plays. We’re sticking to what works and a lot of the goals scored have been shooting, rebounds and getting those pucks that are right beside the net.”
Stone’s role on the Senators has changed this season.
At the end of camp, coach Guy Boucher made Stone one of the alternate captains because he felt like he was ready to take the next step. He isn’t the most talkative player in the room, but Stone plays the right way at both ends of the ice and leads by example. Those are both strong qualities.
The top players in the league make those around them better. Through the early part of the season, Stone and Brassard have fed off each and they’ve both been able to benefit with success on the scoreboard.
“(Stone’s) one of those guys that cares a lot,” Boucher said. “Last year was a real progression, not only in the player, but also in the man. From that, the next step is the leadership part.”
Perhaps last spring’s trip to the conference final against the Penguins has played a role in Stone’s progression as well, Boucher noted.
“He’s had a taste also of being so close in the Stanley Cup playoffs like the other guys,” Boucher added. “Guys that have character, they don’t sit on that. It’s the opposite, they smell blood and they want more.
“Brassard is the same thing. The two of them combined, since Day 1, they’ve definitely been on a mission. They’re deserving every day what they’re getting and it’s actually very impressive. It’s every practice, every meeting, they’re extremely focused. They want more.”
A lot of time players can’t handle the expectations foisted upon them when they’re given a letter.
“Very few people can (handle expectations). Period,” Boucher said. “Very often I’ll hear, ‘Oh, this guy’s a leader,’ and it’s not true. Just because he’s a high-end scorer or he’s 33 years old and he’s won a Cup, we think these guys are leaders when most of the time they’re absolutely not.
“Very few guys are leaders because they need to have those three things: attitude, work ethic and discipline. That’s why those high-end players that are leaders make their teams win. They become winners. We saw Erik make that step last year and I think we’ve seen Stone make that step this year.”
As a restricted free agent on July 1, all eyes are on Stone off the ice because he has to sign an extension. His Toronto-based agents from Newport Sports were in town last month before the Senators played the Canucks. They had lunch with Stone and told him to worry about playing.
At this point, the contract is not a concern or focus.
“(The talks) were very minor. We haven’t done much,” Stone said. “We both know we have time, we both know that we want to have a good, successful season and we don’t want anything to distract both sides right now. We want to focus on the way the team is playing.”
Last year was a real progression, not only in the player, but also in the man. From that, the next step is the leadership part.