“You can’t make this sh*t up,” Reports of Golden Knights’ Mark Stone returning to team ahead of Stanley Cup playoffs ignites WILD reaction from NHL fans

Mark Stone had been placed on the LTIR list in March and was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season.

“You can’t make this sh*t up,” Reports of Golden Knights’ Mark Stone returning to team ahead of Stanley Cup playoffs ignites WILD reaction from NHL fans

Mark Stone (Image via Imago)

Just few days before the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the defending champions Vegas Golden Knights have received some positive news. Captain Mark Stone returned to practice on Friday after being out with a major injury.

Stone had been out of the team since late February and was ruled out for the rest of the regular season in March. The team announced that he had suffered a lacerated spleen and was placed on the long-term injured reserve (LTIR) list.

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His injury lead to the Vegas Golden Knights to free up his $9.5 million cap hit just before the deadline. The team would later go on to pick up stars like Anthony Manta, Tom Hertl and Noah Hanifin.

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Despite him being cleared to practice, there is still no timeline on his actual return as per his coach Bruce Cassidy. He though was happy to see the team leader back with the group.

It's good to see him out there. He's in a red jersey which means he's progressing from what his return to play would be. I'm not sure what's left on that (timeline). Obviously, he's got to get clearance for his injury. We'll see how it plays out down the road. Nice to have him back out there and see him back with the group.
Bruce Cassidy said in a press conference.

Following the return to practice of Stone, the Golden Knights went on to beat the Minnesota Wild 7-2 on Friday. This saw them clinch the final playoff spot available in the Western Conference.

Fans react to Mark Stone’s comeback

Since the news of Mark Stone being back to practice broke out, fans on X were left unimpressed. This development triggered some wild reactions of the fans, who once again, bashed the team for their usage of the LTIR.

Mark Stone [Image Credit: Imago]
Mark Stone [Image via: Imago]

Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff himself seemed a bit confused about the announcement. Taking to his X account, he wrote that Stone coming back just in time for the playoffs for a second year running was “some seriously fortuitous timing“.

This time, several fans wrote that this was something that did not surprise. Meanwhile one user on X wrote that they can’t make this up and just laughed on.

You can’t make this sh*t up

One X user commented.

Here is that and some other reactions from X:

The 31-year-old captain of the Golden Knights has played in 56 games this season and has 53 points (16 goals and 37 assists). His return to the team could be a valuable boost for them as they aim to defend their crown while batting some of the toughest contenders of the 2023-24 season in the upcoming days.

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