FSM Feature: Wild Bill Isn’t Going Anywhere

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William Karlsson is staying in Las Vegas.

The Vegas Golden Knights announced Wednesday that they signed the veteran forward to a two-year, $13.5 million contract extension, keeping one of the franchise’s original players still knighted and under contract through the 2028-29 season.

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Golden Knights vs Stars William Karlsson

Photo Credit: Tony Gutierrez/AP

From expansion draft pick to Stanley Cup champion, Karlsson has been there for nearly every chapter of the Golden Knights’ amazing story.

William Karlsson arrived in Vegas ahead of the franchise’s inaugural 2017-18 season and wasted no time making an impact. He scored a franchise-record 43 goals that season, helping lead the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup Final.

He stayed a key piece to the team’s evolution and played a major role in its 2023 championship run, recording 17 points in just 22 playoff games.

Now that he’s staying in Sin City, he’ll keep adding to that history.

Karlsson ranks second in franchise history in both goals (165) and points (403), trailing behind only Jonathan Marchessault in each category.

Golden Knights vs Kraken William Karlsson — Photo Credit: John Locher/AP

William Karlsson has appeared in 570 regular-season games for the Golden Knights, making him one of the few remaining ties to the team’s inaugural season. His current eight-year, $47.2 million contract expires after this 2026-27 season.

The 2025-26 season was an especially challenging one for Karlsson, who was limited to only 14 regular-season games because of an injury. He did return for the playoffs and produced nine points in 15 games.

The Golden Knights are betting that the player who helped define their early years still has plenty left in the gas tank.

For Karlsson, the extension means more time and opportunities with the franchise that turned him into an NHL star.

Vegas got Wild Bill in the expansion draft. Now it gets to keep him around a little longer. Turns out, the house still has a few cards left to play.

What They’re Saying

Karlsson’s reaction to the extension was about as Vegas as it gets: short, loud and unprintable in full.

“Day F—ing One.” Karlsson said of his run with the only team he has worn a Golden Knights sweater for since the expansion draft.

Three words, 10 seasons of context. The original Golden Knight gets to keep writing the story. (Quotes via KTNV 13 Action News.)

WILLIAM KARLSSON BY THE NUMBERS

Career games played	753
Career goals	183
Career assists	270
Career points	453
Career game-winning goals	30
Goals in 2017-18	43
Games played in 2025-26	14

Next up: The Golden Knights host the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, Oct. 2, at T-Mobile Arena. Puck drop is 7 p.m. PT on Scripps Sports.

Franchise Sports Media. Las Vegas sports news about Las Vegas Sports teams.

– Jordan Vega – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Jordan on Instagram: @jordantvegas

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Jordan Vega

Jordan Vega is a Mexican American and Native American sports broadcaster from Coachella, California. He has played football since age seven and played college football at Orange Coast College. After high school, Jordan served in the U.S. Navy, where he discovered judo and earned two national gold medals while training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Now studying Sports Broadcasting at UNLV and competing in wrestling, Jordan is passionate about telling authentic sports stories and creating greater representation in sports media. His goal is to become a household name and inspire the next generation.