Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone has been cleared to practise after suffering a lacerated spleen on Feb. 20, the team announced Friday.
The Golden Knights also said the captain would be participating in Friday’s morning skate in a non-contact jersey.
Stone, 31, was initially considered week-to-week after a hit from the Nashville Predators’ Yakov Trenin caused the lacerated spleen, but was moved to LTIR shortly thereafter.
The move caused criticism from the hockey world regarding the Golden Knights’ LTIR usage and whether it borders on cap circumvention. General manager Kelly McCrimmon defended their use of LTIR, calling the notion that the team overstates the significance of injuries “ridiculous.”
In 56 games this season, Stone has 16 goals and 37 assists for 53 points. The Golden Knights sit in the West’s second wild-card spot.
