VEGAS (September 30, 2026) – Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced today, September 30, that the team has signed forward William Karlsson to a two-year contract extension through the 2028-29 season worth an average annual value of $6.75 million.
Karlsson, 33, has skated in 570 regular-season games as a Golden Knight since the franchise’s inaugural 2017-18 season. In team history, the forward ranks second in goals (165), points (403), plus-minus (+128), and takeaways (382) in the regular season. Karlsson is the all-time leader for Vegas in shorthanded goals (15) and points (26). In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Karlsson owns experience in 121 games with Vegas and helped the Golden Knights lift the Stanley Cup in 2023 when he appeared in each of the club’s 22 contests during the run, producing 17 points (11G, 6A) and a +11 rating. Karlsson owns a +55 rating in his postseason career, the best mark among all active players in the NHL.
Internationally, the native of Marsta, Sweden, has represented his country at multiple events including most recently at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. Karlsson helped his country earn a bronze medal during last year’s tournament, which Sweden co-hosted with Denmark. During the same event in 2017, Karlsson was part of the Swedish team that earned gold.
Karlsson was selected by the Golden Knights from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. During his first season in Vegas, the center recorded a career-high 43 goals, which stand today as the most in a single season by a Golden Knight, and a +49 rating which was the best among all skaters in the NHL. Following the 2017-18 season, Karlsson won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player who shows the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct while maintaining a high standard of playing ability. Prior to his time in Vegas, Karlsson played with the Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks. He was selected by the Ducks in the 2nd round (53rd overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft.
William Karlsson, Forward
Birthplace: Marsta, SWE
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190 lbs.
Age: 33
Shoots: Left
Notes:
- Has skated in 570 regular-season games as a Golden Knight since the franchise’s inaugural 2017-18 season, posting 403 points (165 G, 238 A) with a +128 rating.
- All-time leader for Vegas in shorthanded goals (15) and points (26).
- Lifted Stanley Cup with Golden Knights in 2023 after he appeared in each of the club’s 22 contests during the run, with 17 points (11G, 6A) and a +11 rating.
- Leads all active skaters in the NHL with a +55 rating during postseason play.
- Recorded a career-high 43 goals during the 2017-18 campaign, which stand today as the most in a single season by a Golden Knight, as well as a +49 rating, which was the best among all skaters in the NHL.
- Winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2018, awarded annually to the player who shows the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct while maintaining a high standard of playing ability.
- Selected by the Golden Knights from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.
- Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2nd round (53rd overall) in 2011.
ABOUT THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
The Vegas Golden Knights are a National Hockey League franchise owned and operated by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC. Established by Owner and Chairman Bill Foley and his family, the Golden Knights were the most successful expansion franchise in North American professional sports history in 2017-18 and won the Stanley Cup in 2022-23. The Golden Knights have advanced to the Stanley Cup Final three times and celebrate their 10th season as a franchise in 2026-27. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights visit vegasgoldenknights.com and follow the team on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
