Few players have made the year-to-year offensive improvement that William Karlsson did in 2017-18.
The Vegas Golden Knights claimed Karlsson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Karlsson had earned a role as a useful checking center with the Blue Jackets, though he had never scored more than nine goals or finished with more than 25 points in a season.
Few players have made the year-to-year offensive improvement that William Karlsson did in 2017-18.
The Vegas Golden Knights claimed Karlsson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Karlsson had earned a role as a useful checking center with the Blue Jackets, though he had never scored more than nine goals or finished with more than 25 points in a season.
But given a chance to have an expanded role with the NHL's newest team, Karlsson took the opportunity and ran with it.
The Marsta, Sweden, native went from six goals in 2016-17 to 43 in 2017-18, the third-biggest single-season jump in NHL history. He finished third in the NHL in goals and led the Golden Knights with 78 points, up from 19 in 2016-17. But Karlsson didn't forget his defensive responsibilities; he led the NHL with a plus-49 rating. He also took just six minor penalties in 82 games and won the Lady Byng Trophy, given for skillful and gentlemanly play.
A second-round pick (No. 53) by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2011 NHL Draft, Karlsson made his NHL debut Oct. 11, 2014, and scored his first two NHL goals two nights later, against the Buffalo Sabres.
Karlsson played 16 more games for the Ducks and on March 2, 2015, was traded to the Blue Jackets. He played his first game for Columbus on March 24, 2015 and had an assist in a 5-3 win against the Ducks. He scored his first goal for Columbus four nights later against the St. Louis Blues.
Karlsson developed his game as a member of Vasteras in Sweden's second division, then made the jump to the Swedish Hockey League as a 21-year-old during the 2013-14 season. He also represented Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championships, helping to win a gold medal in 2012 and a silver medal in 2013.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- Traded to Columbus by Anaheim with Rene Bourque and Anaheim's 2nd round pick (Kevin Stenlund) in 2015 NHL Draft for James Wisniewski and Detroit's 3rd round pick (previously acquired, Anaheim selected Brent Gates) in 2015 NHL Draft, March 2, 2015.
- Claimed by Vegas from Columbus in Expansion Draft, June 21, 2017.
