With the latest news surrounding Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights fans have been searching for any good news on Tuesday. They weren't getting Jack Eichel back anytime soon and needed to hear something from The Athletic, Las Vegas Review-Journal, SinBin.vegas, you name it. The team hasn't looked like itself in recent weeks, leaving fans to wonder if this is it for the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup hopes.
Well, let's see what you make of Jesse Granger's latest update from Bruce Cassidy. Maybe it brightens up your day a little bit. Maybe it makes you dread the evil month of January further. Whatever the case, The Athletic's go-to source had the scoop from the head coach regarding the Original Misfit.
Bruce Cassidy said he expects William Karlsson to return before the Olympics.
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) December 23, 2025
He said Adin Hill is “week to week but getting closer,”
An Olympic-sized return would be huge for the Golden Knights in many ways. For one, you get depth scoring, with Karlsson scoring four goals and three assists in 14 games. His offense on the lower lines has been a welcome addition for a Vegas team desperately needing players to score on other lines.
But he's also a proficient defensive player, acting as a nightmare matchup for players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Imagine the top stars diving into the slot for goals the way that McDavid did on Sunday. If Karlsson was playing in that game, goals like that wouldn't have happened. Why?
Because the Original Misfit plays a cerebral game. He knows how to seal off portions of the ice through spacing and positioning, making him a tough matchup for any foe. You can also point to games against the Anaheim Ducks, where his talents were desperately needed.
But what about that dreaded month of January? Will a return before the Olympic break be enough to mitigate the historically awful month? That's the big question that could have a terrible answer.
All Vegas can do at this point is work with what you have. There's no reason to cry over spilled milk, especially when you're pursuing a Stanley Cup. After all, Stanley Cup winners don't dwell on such inconveniences.