Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, the team announced Thursday. He has been placed on injured reserve.
The Golden Knights have recalled Tanner Laczynski and Bredan Brisson from the Henderson Silver Knights ahead of tonight’s game in St. Louis.
Karlsson has seven goals and 18 points in 38 games this season, though he has not recorded a point in his last seven games, which coincides with Vegas’ recent struggles. Karlsson has just one assist in his last 12 games and hasn’t scored since Dec. 21.
Despite Karlsson’s recent lack of production, this is a significant blow to the Golden Knights, who rely on Karlsson’s all-around game even when he does not find the scoresheet.
The Golden Knights are in the midst of a 1-5-1 stretch and have lost four consecutive games going into tonight’s contest against the Blues. They will take on the Stars in the second half of a back-to-back tomorrow in Dallas.
In his 32 Thoughts column, SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman referred to Karlsson’s injury as “lingering,” though it’s unclear if he is suggesting that it could be related to what kept Karlsson out of the lineup for the first month of the season.
Friedman wrote that Karlsson could be forced to miss the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, which isn’t set to begin until Feb. 12.
Bad news for Team Sweden as Jacob Markstrom will “miss some time,”according to Sheldon Keefe, after getting hurt Wednesday against Boston. Linus Ullmark is a question, too, and now there is concern that whatever lingering injury is bothering William Karlsson could cause him to miss the 4 Nations Face-Off. We should get clarity soon. Hopefully, everything works out for him.
But speculation surrounding Karlsson’s status remains uncertain, and Team Sweden has not yet named a replacement. Karlsson was one of seven Golden Knights players expected to compete in the tournament.
Cole Schwindt is also on injured reserve and listed as week-to-week, and Brett Howden was not at today’s practice due to illness, though it’s not yet known if he will be available for tonight’s matchup.