LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Vegas Golden Knights locked up a franchise cornerstone today, as General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced a two-year contract extension for forward William Karlsson. The deal runs through the 2028–29 season and carries an average annual value (AAV) of $6.75 million.
Karlsson, 33, has been a fixture in Las Vegas since being selected from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Over his 570 regular-season games with the Golden Knights, the Swedish center has cemented his place at the top of the franchise’s record books.
A Franchise Anchor
Karlsson’s impact spans across every era of Golden Knights history, ranking near the top of almost every major statistical category for the club:
| Category | Karlsson’s Franchise Rank / Stat |
|---|---|
| Shorthanded Goals | 1st (15) |
| Shorthanded Points | 1st (26) |
| Goals | 2nd (165) |
| Points | 2nd (403) |
| Plus-Minus | 2nd (+128) |
| Takeaways | 2nd (382) |
Karlsson’s historic 43-goal campaign during the inaugural 2017–18 “Golden Misfits” season remains the highest single-season goal total in franchise history. His league-leading +49 rating that year ultimately earned him the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.
Playoff Pedigree
Beyond his regular-season consistency, Karlsson has saved some of his finest performances for the postseason. He appeared in all 22 playoff games during Vegas’s 2023 Stanley Cup championship run, netting 11 goals and 17 points.
With 121 career playoff games in a Vegas uniform, Karlsson boasts a +55 postseason rating, which stands as the highest mark among all active players in the NHL.
International and Early Career Success
The Märsta, Sweden native also brings a decorated international resume to his extension. Karlsson has represented his home country on multiple occasions, winning a gold medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championship and most recently securing a bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
Originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft, Karlsson played for both Anaheim and Columbus before finding his permanent home in the desert. With today’s signing, “Wild Bill” is set to remain a focal point of the Golden Knights’ offense for the foreseeable future.
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