November 8, 2025, was a gloomy day for Vegas Golden Knights fans. They saw William Karlsson go down with a lower-body injury and the Anaheim Ducks win in overtime, 4-3. It saw an emerging Ducks team surprise Las Vegas, establishing itself as an emerging power.
But the injury didn't just devastate the Golden Knights. It also ruined the Misfit's hopes of representing Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Watching the Swedes lose in overtime to the United States must've felt like that fateful random November day, when the Golden Knights lost to the Ducks.
Ironically, Sweden still had a representative for Vegas: Rasmus Andersson. While he only played in two Olympic games, the Nordic country made sure to get some of that sweet ol' VGK representation. You don't want to miss out on grabbing one of "Gary Bettman's pets".
Still, it's unfortunate that Karlsson didn't get time in Milan. He couldn't get drunk and shirtless while eating a cannoli, especially since he didn't have his best buddy, Jonathan Marchessault, around. But missing this season's Olympics doesn't just signify a missed opportunity. It also has some long-term ramifications for his career. What does the Misfit's missing this year's Olympics mean for his long-term viability?
William Karlsson missing the 2026 Winter Olympics carries a deeper meaning
First, there's a good chance that the Golden Knights center missed out on the Olympics for good—at least with the Golden Knights. Karlsson is 33 years old and has sustained some injuries in the past couple of seasons. He's also entering the twilight of his Vegas career, with his current deal set to expire in 2027.
Therefore, missing this Olympics iteration means that he's likely not getting another chance. The Swedish roster is entering its prime, as proven by players such as Lucas Raymond and Rasmus Dahlin. With Canada trotting out a solid young forward core and the United States winning gold, the Swedes must capitalize on their current Olympic window.
That also applies to his production. This season, he scored four goals and three assists in 14 games. While he can still score when called upon, injuries can cut into his production. That could happen to the Original Misfit, especially with his Vegas career winding down (not everyone is Mark Stone, you know).
Still, there's hope for the Misfit to make one more roster
I know what you're thinking. You're probably thinking that this is bashing Karlsson in every possible fashion. Well, I'm here to tell you that the Stockholm native still offers numerous services, starting with his special teams acumen.
Karlsson can play on both units and thrives in the penalty kill role. He's made a living as an efficient player on the exit, dumping pucks out without a struggle. He can also score on the lower power play units, scoring when called upon.
Not only that, but he's a cerebral player. Karlsson's excellent at reading the ice and directing opponents away from the goaltender front. He knows how to utilize space and take it away, making him a problematic matchup for any opposing attacker.
It's going to be a long road ahead if the 33-year-old wants a shot at the Olympics. But hey, crazier things have happened. Who would've thought that Kai Uchacz would get his call-up to play with Braeden Bowman so soon?