Golden Knights GM says Mark Stone’s rehab will take time

It’s still too early to determine when captain Mark Stone could play again for the Golden Knights, general manager Kelly McCrimmon said Sunday.

Stone is out indefinitely after undergoing back surgery Jan. 31. It was his second back procedure in nine months following a lumbar discectomy May 19.

“At this point, it’s still too vague,” McCrimmon said. “He had major back surgery, so it’s going to be a rehab process that takes some time.”

Stone has missed the past 16 games and is on long-term injured reserve. The Knights have 22 games remaining after playing Colorado on Monday until their regular season ends April 13 against Seattle.

Stone is one of the NHL’s best two-way forwards. He has scored 38 points in 43 games this season, and his plus-12 rating at five-on-five is tied for third-best on the Knights, according to the website Natural Stat Trick.

Goalie injured

Goaltender Laurent Brossoit didn’t dress Monday and is considered day to day with a lower-body injury.

The 29-year-old has been sensational since being recalled Feb. 11, with seven goals allowed and a .936 save percentage in his first three starts. He made 41 saves in an incredible duel with Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger in a 3-2 shootout loss Saturday.

“I feel bad for LB, especially if (the injury) stretches out,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “He was playing really well.”

The Knights have dealt with numerous injuries in net. Robin Lehner will miss the entire season with a hip injury that required surgery. Brossoit wasn’t ready for the start of training camp after undergoing offseason hip surgery. Rookie Logan Thompson is week to week with a lower-body injury he suffered Feb. 9 against the Minnesota Wild. Adin Hill missed two games with a “bump” he sustained Feb. 18 against the Tampa Bay Lightning before returning to back up Brossoit on Saturday.

Popular player

The St. Louis Blues have traded 2019 Conn Smythe (playoff MVP) winner Ryan O’Reilly and six-time 30-goal scorer Vladimir Tarasenko this season, but general manager Doug Armstrong said new Knights left wing Ivan Barbashev generated the most interest before the NHL’s trade deadline Friday.

Armstrong attributed that to Barbashev’s $2.25 million cap hit. O’Reilly’s and Tarasenko’s are $7.5 million.

The Knights gave up 2021 first-round pick Zach Dean to acquire Barbashev on Sunday. Barbashev said he knew it was only a matter of time before he was traded and found out while he was on Twitter.

“I feel like it’s a new challenge for me and a really big opportunity to go on a long playoff run,” Barbashev said.

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.