Mark Stone To Stay With Ottawa Despite Team’s Bleak Future

TheSportster

By Alex Hoegler

Published Sep 20, 2018

Ottawa Senators sniper Mark Stone denied a report that he wants to be traded, and emphasized the desire to stay with his team.

Feb 22, 2018; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone (61) gets in position for a faceoff in the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone was quick to shut down a report from TVA's Louis Jean that he wanted to be traded out of the nation's capital, days after the team dealt captain Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks.

TSN's Brent Wallace shared Stone's response to the report:

After that, Jean responded that his words were taken "out of context," and that Stone would only leave "IF the team doesn’t sort things out on and off the ice." Either way, all that matters is Stone emphasized that he wants to stick with the Senators, amid all the drama and the fact this team is now rebuilding.

The Senators and Stone agreed to a one-year, $7.35 million contract for the 2018-19 season, thus avoiding arbitration. The 26-year-old is eligible for UFA status next year, but the Sens have plenty of cap space to extend him long term.

Stone has scored 20-plus goals in each of the last four seasons, reaching the 60-point mark three times. With sniper Mike Hoffman being traded to San Jose (later flipped to Florida), Stone is undoubtedly the team's top goal-scorer. Ottawa simply can't afford to lose a two-way player of Stone's caliber.

The Senators also need to try and reach a contract extension with Matt Duchene, whom GM Pierre Dorion acquired via trade with the Colorado Avalanche last year. The package included Ottawa's first-round pick in 2019, which will likely be a top-five sselection This means the Senators won't have the chance to land big time center Jack Hughes, the consensus No. 1 pick next year.

Thus, the Senators simply need to do all they can to extend Duchene, considering how much they gave up to acquire him. Though owner Eugene Melnyk has always been budget-conscious, he'll have to let Dorion pay Stone and Duchene whatever it takes to keep them here long term.

Otherwise, the Sens' and their fall to the bottom of the NHL standings will get much uglier, in much shorter time.

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