Karlsson signs eight-year contract with Golden Knights

William Karlsson signed an eight-year, $47.2 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday. It has an average annual value of $5.9 million.

The 26-year-old forward could have become a restricted free agent July 1.
"I love to live in Las Vegas," Karlsson said Tuesday. "I think it's a great town. It's the most fun place to play in, T-Mobile [Arena]. ... It's awesome, and I'm very happy to stay here."
He had 56 points (24 goals, 32 assists) in 82 regular-season games with the Golden Knights this season and five points (two goals, three assists) in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Karlsson avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $5.25 million contract as a restricted free agent Aug. 4, 2018.
"Last summer was a bit of a pain, for sure," he said. "It's nice to have it done rather quick this year. Not have to worry about. Now it's official, now it's out there, and now it's done. Just focus on the right things now."

Karlsson had NHL career highs in goals (43), assists (35) and points (78) in 82 games in 2017-18, and had 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 20 playoff games to help the Golden Knights advance to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final.
He was selected by Vegas from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.
Selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (No. 53) of the 2011 NHL Draft, Karlsson has 184 points (85 goals, 99 assists) in 347 regular-season games with the Golden Knights and Blue Jackets, and 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 32 playoff games.