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Vegas Golden Knights Report Card: William Karlsson

By Andrew Steele-Davis

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 08: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights waits for a faceoff against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on December 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 08: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights waits for a faceoff against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on December 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 01: Nino Niederreiter #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles during a faceoff with William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights during an NHL game on February 1, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 01: Nino Niederreiter #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes battles during a faceoff with William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights during an NHL game on February 1, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Why The Grade

William Karlsson was an elite performer for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018-19 and, while people will focus on his slump in offensive numbers, he was still hugely productive and he brings a high-compete, 200-foot game to the table.

As a result, we felt it was right to award Karlsson a A- Grade based on his expertise in other areas of the game, such as the defensive zone and his overall body of work last year. He came up clutch for his team when the situation called for it and he didn’t miss a single game, which should be looked upon as a valuable commodity.

His points total of 56 is respectable enough for a top-line center, and you have to consider his impact on the players around him. For instance, Karlsson, Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault combined for 168 points (68 goals, 100 assists) as the top line produced the goods for the consecutive year for Vegas.

Also, Karlsson’s career-highs in blocked shots (55) and hits (51) illustrates the work he puts in when in the defensive zone, while he can be relied upon in the faceoff circle as backed up by his winning percentage of 47.6 last year.

He logged an average of 18:51 minutes per night during the regular season and that only increased to an average of 20:25 in the postseason. Karlsson also finished second in points on the Golden Knights with 56 behind Jonathan Marchessault (59).

All in all, William Karlsson has become a franchise center for the Vegas Golden Knights and he is well on his way to establishing himself as one of the best two-way pivots in the NHL. A dip in production was always to be expected given that teams were going to be more aware of Karlsson’s talents but, with other elite and potent weapons around him in the top six, that should only benefit the 26-year-old going forward.

Next. Recapping the week that was. dark

And, now having the security of an eight-year deal, it would be worth a bet to say that William Karlsson is in the best possible position to hit the peak of his powers for the Golden Knights in 2019-20 and flourish in Sin City even more.

COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 17: Teammates Jonathan Marchessault #81, William Karlsson #71 and Reilly Smith #19 of the Vegas Golden Knights talk prior to a face-off during the second period of a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 17, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 17: Teammates Jonathan Marchessault #81, William Karlsson #71 and Reilly Smith #19 of the Vegas Golden Knights talk prior to a face-off during the second period of a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 17, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Numbers

Games: 82

Goals: 24

Assists: 32

Points: 56

Power Play Goals: 7

Power Play Points: 14

Shooting Percentage: 14.2

FO%: 47.6

Plus / Minus:+1

ATOI: 18:51

PIM: 16

Blocked Shots: 55

Hits: 51

Takeaways: 73

CF%: 54.1

oZS%: 51.7

Games (Playoffs): 7

Goals (Playoffs): 2

Assists (Playoffs): 3

Points (Playoffs): 5

Plus / Minus (Playoffs): +1

ATOI (Playoffs): 20:25

FO% (Playoffs): 46.4

Next Report Card: Brandon Pirri

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