William Karlsson is set to return to the Vegas Golden Knights soon. So where should he fit in the lineup?
Vegas Golden Knights fans have been getting good news throughout the week. William Karlsson is practicing with the team and is set to return to the lineup soon. It's a huge boost for a Golden Knights team looking to win another Stanley Cup. He adds countless elements to the team's game, ranging from being a two-way forward to special teams extraordinaire.
Last season, he scored 30 goals and 30 assists in 70 games. The Swedish forward also scored seven goals and eight assists in 2023-24, making him a multifaceted threat. Other teams will see Karlsson returning and have the same reaction to the news.
But there's one small problem: Where does he go? It poses an interesting question because Tomas Hertl had a big game against the Los Angeles Kings. He scored two goals and two assists (one goal and one assist on the power play), getting the team back on the winning track. In essence, this reaction can also be warranted for the Golden Knights.
Granted, Karlsson's return is a good problem to have. The Golden Knights already know who their top line is, with the unit set to stick together for a while. The "Original Misfit" is too high for being an energy line guy. Therefore, he has his options narrowed down.
So what should the Golden Knights do with the returning forward? Should they put him on the third line and give Hertl more time on the second line? Sometimes, problems can be good because you have options if your solution doesn't work out. That applies here, where the Golden Knights can make necessary changes if needed.
What should the Vegas Golden Knights do with William Karlsson?
Personally, I'm fine with William Karlsson playing on the third line to start with the Vegas Golden Knights. It gives him time to settle into the lineup and start slow. Rushing a player into a lineup with minimal time to practice isn't ideal, especially when you're in the middle of a season.
Hertl's breakout game against the Kings could mean greater things for the center. He might have the formula needed to succeed in five-on-five situations: Crash the net and cause chaos. He was brought in to do this on the power play, where he's succeeded so far.
The two-time All-Star already has two goals and three assists on the power play, making him as good as advertised. Hertl's presence will give Karlsson time to adjust to the game, re-establishing himself in the NHL. That's good news for a Golden Knights team that just lost Victor Olofsson to a lower-body injury.
Who knows? Maybe the Czech forward goes on a cold streak, giving Karlsson an opportunity to take that second line spot. Reinforcements are always great for an NHL team looking for another Stanley Cup. Karlsson's return will fortify the lineup, regardless of where he plays.
