William Karlsson

Flush with cash as a third-year club, Vegas signed Karlsson to an eight-year, $47 million contract in June. He and Senators castoff Mark Stone -- who inked an eight-year, $76 million deal of his own -- project to be the cornerstones of a young franchise that has already experienced unprecedented success, including a Stanley Cup Final appearance in its inaugural season. Karlsson dialed in 24 goals, 32 assists and 14 power-play points last year, but the output looks paltry compared to his numbers from 2018-19, when he stacked a career-high 78 points on top of a league-best plus-49 rating. The Golden Knights have a lot vested in "Wild Bill," so he should continue seeing plentiful man-advantage minutes while cementing his status as a set-and-forget fantasy option.

After being exposed by the Blue Jackets and getting selected by Vegas in the expansion draft, Karlsson was arguably the biggest fantasy surprise of 2017-18. Centering the top line with Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault, Karlsson scored a whopping 43 goals last season. After recording just 15 goals in two seasons with Columbus, his transformation into an elite goal-scorer almost seems unfathomable. Karlsson and the Golden Knights avoided arbitration with a one-year, $5.25 million contract in the summer, as the centre will have to prove 2017-18 was no fluke. Karlsson is a special player, but expecting him to sustain his 23.4 shooting percentage and record another 40-goal season is unrealistic. While a regression is likely, look for Karlsson to still be a dynamic scorer on the top line and first power-play unit.

Karlsson put together a second straight quality campaign in 2016-17, filling a bottom-six role for the Blue Jackets that didn't provide him with many scoring opportunities but allowed him to show effective two-way play. The 24-year-old doesn't have any one elite skill, but his well-rounded game should provide him with a long NHL career, and he could put some extra points on the board in the right situation — like the one he now finds himself in after being selected by Las Vegas in the expansion draft. On a Golden Knights squad lacking established scoring threats up the middle, Karlsson may be receive more opportunities than he saw in Columbus.

Karlsson played a full NHL schedule for the first time in his young career last year and showed flashes of potential, but the 23-year-old still only managed 20 points while skating on the third and fourth lines for a poor Columbus team. The Jackets' lack of depth up the middle could allow him to sneak into a larger role at some point should injuries strike, and he could be productive if given a chance, but he mostly appears to be little more than an afterthought in a system flush with top prospects pushing their way toward the NHL.

The 21-year-old Karlsson will compete for the Ducks' third-line center job in training camp against fellow Swede Rickard Rakell. Should he fail to win the gig, a full season at AHL Norfolk likely awaits for Karlsson.