William Karlsson

William Karlsson

33-Year-Old CenterC
Vegas Golden Knights
2025 Stats
G
4
A
3
PP Pts
1
+/-
-1
PIM
4
ROS Projections
G
A
PP Pts
+/-
PIM
Unlock Our Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Karlsson was expected to regress somewhat after scoring 30 goals and 60 points in 2023-24 on the back of a 17.1 shooting percentage -- well above his average of 11.1 percent from 2018-19 through 2022-23 -- but his collapse to nine goals and 29 points across 53 regular-season outings in 2024-25 was surprising. Luck wasn’t on his side, though. He missed time due to injury, which might have disrupted his rhythm. In addition, rather than his shooting percentage regressing toward the mean, it cratered to 7.6 percent last year. He also had just six secondary assists, breaking a streak of seven straight years with double digits in that category. Just as it was fair to believe he’d regress after his 2023-24 showing, it’s reasonable to expect a rebound will follow his rough season. Look for him to get about 15 goals and 40-50 points in 2025-26. Read Past Outlooks
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Overall
#Subscriber-Only
Center
Shoots Left
Height 6'0"
DOB 1/8/1993
Born Marsta, Sweden
Drafted 2nd Rd, #53 Overall in 2011
Signed an eight-year, $47.2 million contract extension with the Golden Knights in June of 2019.
Goal, assist in Game 3 win
CVegas Golden Knights
May 24, 2026
Karlsson scored a goal on two shots, dished an assist and went plus-3 in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
ANALYSIS
Karlsson pulled the Golden Knights within a goal when he scored at 4:05 of the second period. He also set up Brett Howden's empty-netter to seal the comeback win. Karlsson has filled a middle-six role since returning from a lengthy absence due to a lower-body injury. He's earned five points (one goal, four assists) with 12 shots on net, nine blocked shots and a plus-6 rating in nine playoff appearances.
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2025–26 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    15:09
  • Average Power Play TOI:
    1:00
  • Average Short-Handed TOI:
    1:20
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2023–24
17:36
2:34
1:53
2024–25
17:01
1:25
1:25
2025–26
15:09
1:00
1:20
Golden Knights Depth Chart
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Golden Knights Power Play Depth Chart
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2014
Karlsson provided 30 goals and 60 points in 70 contests last season, marking the first time since 2017-18 that he supplied at least 25 markers. Of course, his 2017-18 campaign was noteworthy for him netting 43 goals on the strength of an unsustainable 23.4 shooting percentage and he predictably declined afterward. His performance last season wasn't as extreme, but his 17.1 shooting percentage in 2023-24 was still well above his career average of 13 percent, so he probably did overperform again, and we should consequently anticipate another regression, albeit a lighter one than before. Temper your expectations for the 31-year-old by penciling him in for around 20 goals and 50 points. He doesn't stand out in terms of PIM or hits, but if your league values faceoffs, then he will provide you with a bit of extra help. He won 547 draws last season for a 56.2 winning percentage and, unlike his offensive production, it's reasonable to expect similar results from him in that category going forward.
Karlsson returned to the 50-point mark for the first time since 2018-19 with 14 goals and 39 assists in 82 contests last season. The Swede has settled in as a reliable all-situations center for the Golden Knights, capable of playing tough matchups and contributing solid offense. His offense mostly comes from assists -- he hasn't topped the 20-goal mark in four years, which puts a damper on his fantasy value. He's also finished on the positive side of zero in plus-minus for seven years running. Karlsson may not be a regular 50-point threat heading into his 30s, but he's a solid mid-to-late-round depth forward in fantasy leagues this year.
Karlsson's production has dropped each of his five years with the Golden Knights, with the recently completed campaign being his worst to date. In 67 games last season, Karlsson managed just a dozen goals and 35 points. It's been a steep, steady decline for a player who produced at nearly a point-per-game pace as recently as the 2017-18 season. The Swede won't be 30 years old until January, so there should still be plenty of gas left in the tank here, but Karlsson appears to be nothing more than a late-round fantasy dart throw until further notice.
Karlsson can blame a short season for setting a new low in scoring output (14 goals, 39 points in 56 games) in his Golden Knights tenure. All things considered, he's still the team's top center barring any blockbuster trades. The Swede likely would have exceeded his 46-point output from 2019-20 in a full campaign, and he could have challenged to return to the 60-point mark. The 28-year-old should remain involved in all situations heading into 2021-22, giving him some added appeal in formats that count shorthanded points. The rest of his offense will likely come down to how well his playmaking suits the other top-six forwards on the roster, namely longtime linemates Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith.
We knew Karlsson's 43-goal season in 2017-18 was a fluke, but now we're wondering where his floor lies. His 15 goals and 46 points last season were his lowest totals as a Knight, and that performance was barely passable for a top-six center. He's a beneficiary of ice time on a team that lacks depth down the middle, but it's becoming increasingly clear Vegas will need someone more talented to take advantage of its star wingers. He's already been supplanted on the power play by the Golden Knights younger but more talented centers, and that will put a cap on his offensive production heading into 2020-21. There's not much risk with Karlsson, but at such a deep position, fantasy managers are probably better off taking chances on players with more upside in the middle rounds.
Flush with cash as a third-year club, Vegas signed Karlsson to an eight-year, $47 million contract in June. He and Senators castoff Mark Stone -- who inked an eight-year, $76 million deal of his own -- project to be the cornerstones of a young franchise that has already experienced unprecedented success, including a Stanley Cup Final appearance in its inaugural season. Karlsson dialed in 24 goals, 32 assists and 14 power-play points last year, but the output looks paltry compared to his numbers from 2018-19, when he stacked a career-high 78 points on top of a league-best plus-49 rating. The Golden Knights have a lot vested in "Wild Bill," so he should continue seeing plentiful man-advantage minutes while cementing his status as a set-and-forget fantasy option.
After being exposed by the Blue Jackets and getting selected by Vegas in the expansion draft, Karlsson was arguably the biggest fantasy surprise of 2017-18. Centering the top line with Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault, Karlsson scored a whopping 43 goals last season. After recording just 15 goals in two seasons with Columbus, his transformation into an elite goal-scorer almost seems unfathomable. Karlsson and the Golden Knights avoided arbitration with a one-year, $5.25 million contract in the summer, as the centre will have to prove 2017-18 was no fluke. Karlsson is a special player, but expecting him to sustain his 23.4 shooting percentage and record another 40-goal season is unrealistic. While a regression is likely, look for Karlsson to still be a dynamic scorer on the top line and first power-play unit.
Karlsson put together a second straight quality campaign in 2016-17, filling a bottom-six role for the Blue Jackets that didn't provide him with many scoring opportunities but allowed him to show effective two-way play. The 24-year-old doesn't have any one elite skill, but his well-rounded game should provide him with a long NHL career, and he could put some extra points on the board in the right situation — like the one he now finds himself in after being selected by Las Vegas in the expansion draft. On a Golden Knights squad lacking established scoring threats up the middle, Karlsson may be receive more opportunities than he saw in Columbus.
Karlsson played a full NHL schedule for the first time in his young career last year and showed flashes of potential, but the 23-year-old still only managed 20 points while skating on the third and fourth lines for a poor Columbus team. The Jackets' lack of depth up the middle could allow him to sneak into a larger role at some point should injuries strike, and he could be productive if given a chance, but he mostly appears to be little more than an afterthought in a system flush with top prospects pushing their way toward the NHL.
The 21-year-old Karlsson will compete for the Ducks' third-line center job in training camp against fellow Swede Rickard Rakell. Should he fail to win the gig, a full season at AHL Norfolk likely awaits for Karlsson.
More Fantasy News
Picks up helper Friday
CVegas Golden Knights
May 8, 2026
Karlsson logged an assist, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Friday's 6-2 win over the Ducks in Game 3.
ANALYSIS
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Ready to rock Monday
CVegas Golden Knights
May 4, 2026
Karlsson (lower body) will be activated from long-term injured reserve ahead of his return to the lineup in Game 1 against Anaheim on Monday.
ANALYSIS
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Not close to returning
CVegas Golden Knights
Lower Body
April 17, 2026
Karlsson (lower body) isn't expected to participate in the 2026 postseason unless Vegas manages a long playoff run, general manager Kelly McCrimmon said Friday, per Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
ANALYSIS
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Won't be ready to start playoffs
CVegas Golden Knights
Lower Body
March 6, 2026
Karlsson (lower body) will need the Golden Knights to make a run in the playoffs to get back into the lineup, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Friday.
ANALYSIS
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Out through trade deadline
CVegas Golden Knights
Lower Body
January 12, 2026
Karlsson (lower body) is not expected back before the March 6 trade deadline, SinBin Vegas reports Monday.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
May need season-ending surgery
CVegas Golden Knights
January 12, 2026
Karlsson may not play again in 2025-26 due to a lower-body injury, per SinBin Vegas on Monday.
ANALYSIS
Karlsson has already missed the last 30 games because of the injury. If he undergoes surgery, he could be out for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. He has earned four goals, seven points, 30 shots on net and 13 blocked shots across 14 appearances this campaign.
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