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The Vegas Golden Knights are keeping one of the original members of their “Misfits” core, signing center William Karlsson to a two-year, $13.5 million contract extension. The deal carries an average annual value of $6.75 million and keeps the 33-year-old with Vegas through the 2028-29 season.
Karlsson joined the Golden Knights after Vegas selected him from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 expansion draft. He quickly became one of the most important players in franchise history and remains one of three original Golden Knights still with the organization, along with Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore.
Karlsson Remains A Key Part Of Golden Knights History
Karlsson has played 570 regular-season games for Vegas, recording 403 points. He ranks second in franchise history in goals and points while also ranking among the team’s leaders in takeaways and plus-minus.
His first season with the Golden Knights remains the most productive offensive campaign of his career. Karlsson scored 43 goals and recorded 78 points in 2017-18, setting the franchise’s single-season goals record while helping Vegas reach the Stanley Cup Final.
Karlsson has also played a major role in the Golden Knights’ postseason success. He recorded 11 goals and six assists in 22 games during Vegas’ 2023 Stanley Cup run, helping the franchise win its first championship.
Injuries Limited Karlsson Over The Last Two Seasons
Karlsson has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons, limiting him to 53 games in 2024-25 before a lower-body injury restricted him to just 14 regular-season appearances in 2025-26.
He returned for the playoffs and played 15 games as Vegas advanced to another Stanley Cup Final. Karlsson recorded three goals and six assists before an upper-body injury in Game 5 forced him to miss the deciding Game 6 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
His return provided an important boost to Vegas after missing nearly six months during the regular season and the first round of the playoffs.
Golden Knights Retain Elite Two-Way Center
Karlsson’s offensive production has declined from his record-setting 2017-18 season, but he has remained an important two-way center for the Golden Knights. His defensive ability and penalty-killing work continue to make him a valuable part of the lineup.
The new extension gives Vegas another established piece under contract as the team begins the 2026-27 season. Karlsson will remain part of the Golden Knights’ core alongside players such as Mitch Marner and Brett Howden as the franchise looks to make another run at the Stanley Cup.
