The Vegas Golden Knights claimed Karlsson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Karlsson had earned a role as a useful checking center with the Blue Jackets, though he had never scored more than nine goals or finished with more than 25 points in a season.

Few players have made the year-to-year offensive improvement that William Karlsson did in 2017-18.

Few players have made the year-to-year offensive improvement that William Karlsson did in 2017-18.

The Vegas Golden Knights claimed Karlsson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Karlsson had earned a role as a useful checking center with the Blue Jackets, though he had never scored more than nine goals or finished with more than 25 points in a season.

But given a chance to have an expanded role with the NHL's newest team, Karlsson took the opportunity and ran with it.

The Marsta, Sweden, native went from six goals in 2016-17 to 43 in 2017-18, the third-biggest single-season jump in NHL history. He finished third in the NHL in goals and led the Golden Knights with 78 points, up from 19 in 2016-17. But Karlsson didn't forget his defensive responsibilities; he led the NHL with a plus-49 rating. He also took just six minor penalties in 82 games and won the Lady Byng Trophy, given for skillful and gentlemanly play.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Karlsson scored seven goals and finished with 15 points in 20 games, helping the first-year Golden Knights advance to the Cup Final before losing to the Washington Capitals.

Karlsson didn't quite live up to those numbers the following season, but he did finish with 24 goals (including five game-winners) and 56 points.

A second-round pick (No. 53) by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2011 NHL Draft, Karlsson made his NHL debut Oct. 11, 2014, and scored his first two NHL goals two nights later, against the Buffalo Sabres.

Karlsson played 16 more games for the Ducks and on March 2, 2015, was traded to the Blue Jackets. He played his first game for Columbus on March 24, 2015 and had an assist in a 5-3 win against the Ducks. He scored his first goal for Columbus four nights later against the St. Louis Blues.

After Karlsson developed his game as a member of Vasteras in Sweden's second division, he made the jump to the Swedish Hockey League as a 21-year-old during the 2013-14 season. He also represented Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championships, helping to win a gold medal in 2012 and a silver medal in 2013.

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