Do you want to hear some good news, Vegas Golden Knights fans? It involves a certain "Misfit" named William Karlsson. Bruce Cassidy could be getting another weapon in his arsenal soon, for the Swedish star returned to practice in a red non-contact jersey on Monday.
William Karlsson is on the ice in a red no-contact jersey. First time he's been in a team practice in 30 days.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 21, 2024
Coming back for his first team practice in 30 days is a promising sign for the Golden Knights. Last season, he scored 30 goals and 30 assists in 70 games. He scored seven goals and eight assists on the power play, making him a special teams force to be reckoned with.
Fans will also appreciate this bit of news, given Karlsson's past contributions to the organization. He's scored 152 goals and 215 assists in seven years with the Golden Knights, with 28 goals and 45 assists coming on the man advantage. The team has rediscovered its offensive zeal, making it a tough matchup. However, having another reinforcement in the fold will make them much more potent.
What other benefits will Karlsson's eventual return bring? How will the team fare once he's back in Cassidy's lineup? Fans might've been glum from the previous East Coast trip. However, having an additional two-way forward should bolster the lineup immensely. Let's look into the other pluses of having the "Original Misfit" returning to the lineup soon.
What will William Karlsson improve with the Vegas Golden Knights?
We're living in a bizarre timeline right now. The Vegas Golden Knights have a solid power play (29.4%) and a mediocre penalty kill (69.2%) that's as painful as a Colombian manicure. Ranking 28th in the NHL feels like this, where fans are gouging their eyes out every time the Golden Knights take a bad penalty.
But never fear because William Karlsson is here! The forward plays great on the penalty kill, showing incredible range. He's constantly following the puck and makes smooth exits, making him a valuable piece of the unit. In fact, he has 12 short-handed goals and 13 short-handed assists. No other player on the Golden Knights (aside from Jack Eichel and Mark Stone) is an all-around threat to score like Karlsson.
Of course, the other side of the coin will also benefit greatly from Karlsson's return. Losing Victor Olofsson to a lower-body injury is a big loss for the Golden Knights's power play. However, Bruce Cassidy has an ace in his pocket with Karlsson, where he has another playmaker on the unit. Granted, Olofsson's shot will be missed. However, another proven offensive piece is never bad, especially when they play a vital role in more ways than one.
Cassidy hasn't ruled out a potential return on Friday against the Ottawa Senators. It could give the "Misfit" ample time to heal up, bolstering Vegas's forward depth. It could also give fans a reason to smile, turning them into a full-fledged Stanley Cup contender in the process.