7th year defenseman Michael Stone(26) skated 324 games with draft team Arizona Coyotes but as his original squad is looking at another season without a playoff berth, they are starting to dump salaries.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent after signing a lucrative one-year deal for 2016/2017 the big blue liner gets dished to surging Calgary Flames, who look to be stockpiling players for their postseason push.
He was coming off a career year in 2015/2016 doubling his best assist mark with 30 and 36 points but has a bit of a tough -40 through 4 full NHL seasons and 2 partial.
Given a new environment, it’s tough to think the still young-ish 26 year old won’t turn the corner.
If he can agree to a new deal where he is may really push some of those scoring categories into new territory much like he did in four campaigns with Calgary Hitmen, which included a 2010 WHL Championship as team captain.
Michael Stone(28) Phoenix Coyotes
The injury bug bites Phoenix Coyotes and once again they look to recall a defenseman from AHL affiliate Portland Pirates.
This time 2nd year 2007 3rd round pick (#69 overall) Michael Stone(28) gets his turn.
In 51 games with the Pirates, he already has career highs in goals, assists and points with 9 + 13 for 22 totals and a healthy +5 plus/minus.
At 6’3″ 208 lbs., he’s a big blue liner but could use an extra 20 pounds of muscle to be a real imposing figure out there.
He’s in his second year of his 3-year entry deal but should probably be looked at for more of a long-term signing with his play improving greatly and should add to the Coyotes push towards the playoffs.
In his first NHL game, a 2-1 win in OT, he logged 11:31 ice time and was even out there through 14 shifts.