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Vegas Golden Knights: William Karlsson Earns NHL’s Second Star Of Week

By Richard Cardinale

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 31: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights takes a break during a stop in play in the second period of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at T-Mobile Arena on December 31, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights won 6-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 31: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights takes a break during a stop in play in the second period of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at T-Mobile Arena on December 31, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights won 6-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The most improved player on the Vegas Golden Knights just earned the NHL’s second star of the week.

We knew the Vegas Golden Knights were going to get some sneaky good picks in the NHL expansion draft. George McPhee deserves a ton of praise for his roster management and could not have done a better job. Not only did he pick some great players, but he also chose the right players to fit in Gerard Gallant’s system.

Take Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith for example. He knew exactly what he was receiving when McPhee pulled the trigger to pick both of them up. However, the one who’s stuck out the most has been Marchessault’s and Smith’s linemate William Karlsson.

Karlsson won the NHL’s second star of the week ending on December 31st, 2017. In that timeframe, the Marsta, Sweden native notched five goals, one assist and six points in four games. He also scored the first hat trick of his career and the first hat trick in Golden Knights history.

He’s been the best overall player on this hockey club, and nobody saw it coming. Literally, after the first four games of the regular season, Karlsson took off and went on a point per game pace. He’s been fantastic in every phase of the game.

We knew that Karlsson was very serviceable and a responsible player with the puck, but now his offense is starting to show. The 24-year old is having a career season in 2017-18 scoring 20 goals, 13 assists and 33 points in 37 games played. It’s arguable, but I believe he is the MVP of this Golden Knights squad.

Think about it, You take Karlsson out of the lineup, and that first line of Smith and Marchessault may not give the same production. Replacing your first line center may be asking a lot from less skillful players than Karlsson. There are not many players on the team that comes close to the balance in which Karlsson brings.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights: Gerard Gallant Deserves Jack Adams Award.

He becomes the fourth Vegas Golden Knights player to win player of the week honors joining Marc-Andre Fleury, Oscar Dansk, and Jonathan Marchessault. With the way this team is going, it wouldn’t surprise me if another player or two also earns those considerations. Just another milestone achieved by the expansion franchise.

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