Few Vegas Golden Knights have squeezed more value out of a $47.2 million contract than William “Wild Bill” Karlsson, and his net worth reflects that breakout success.
In this guide, you will learn his estimated net worth, NHL salary, contract terms, career earnings, and how his on‑ice rise in Vegas turned into long‑term financial security.
William Karlsson’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lars William Karlsson |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1993 |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Height / Weight | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm), 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Position | Center |
| Current NHL Team | Vegas Golden Knights |
| NHL Draft Year / Pick | 2011, 2nd round, 53rd overall (Anaheim Ducks) |
| Years Active (NHL) | 2014–2026 |
| Net Worth | ~$18 million (primarily from NHL contracts and modest endorsements) |
| Salary / Career Earnings | Cap hit about $5.9 million; projected career hockey earnings in the mid‑$50 million range by end of current deal |
| Wife | Emily Ferguson |
| Children | N/A |
| Social Profiles | N/A |
Early Life & Hockey Journey
William Karlsson grew up in Sweden, where ice hockey quickly became a central part of his childhood.
Like many Swedish prospects, he developed through local youth systems before catching the attention of professional scouts with his responsible two‑way play and offensive upside.
His rise led to selection by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round, 53rd overall, at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, which put him firmly on the NHL radar.
Karlsson spent his early pro years splitting time between Sweden and North American minor leagues, rounding out his game at both ends of the ice before earning a longer look in the NHL.
After his initial opportunity with the Ducks, he moved to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he showed flashes of the player he would become in Vegas.
His blend of speed, two‑way awareness, and offensive touch set the stage for a breakout once he received a bigger role with an expansion team willing to trust him at center.
NHL Career
Karlsson made his NHL debut with the Anaheim Ducks before moving to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he played in a depth role.
The turning point came in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, when the Vegas Golden Knights selected him and handed him a top‑six center role.
In Vegas, Karlsson exploded with a 43‑goal season in 2017‑18, instantly becoming a franchise star and one of the best expansion‑era success stories in league history.
That season made him the all‑time franchise leader in goals at the time and helped drive Vegas to an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season.
His production and two‑way impact earned him a one‑year arbitration‑avoiding deal worth $5.25 million in 2018, followed by a long‑term eight‑year, $47.2 million extension in 2019 to stay with the Golden Knights.
Since then, he has remained a key center in Vegas, contributing to the team’s depth, postseason runs, and reputation as one of the league’s most consistently competitive clubs.
Wife
William Karlsson is married to Emily Ferguson, who gained public recognition through reality TV and now works as a content creator and influencer.
Together, they form one of the more visible hockey‑and‑media couples, with their life in Las Vegas often highlighted across social and lifestyle outlets.
Reports on the couple’s combined finances note that Karlsson’s NHL contract income pairs with Ferguson’s influencer and media earnings to create a strong, diversified household financial picture.
Coverage also notes that they have children together, with family updates shared through media appearances and social channels rather than traditional press conferences.
William Karlsson’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, William Karlsson’s has an estimated net worth of about $18 million.
This estimate aligns with publicly tracked NHL career earnings in the mid‑$30 million to low‑$40 million range so far, plus remaining guaranteed money on his Vegas extension and modest off‑ice income, after accounting for taxes, living costs, and typical expenses.
NHL Contract
After his breakout 43‑goal season, Karlsson first signed a one‑year, $5.25 million deal with Vegas in 2018, which allowed both sides to avoid salary arbitration and keep him under team control.
In June 2019, he followed that bridge season by signing a long‑term eight‑year contract worth $47.2 million with the Golden Knights, locking in an average annual value of about $5.9 million through the late 2020s.
That extension gave him long‑term security and signaled Vegas’ belief in his two‑way value even as his goal totals normalized from the 43‑goal high.
Cap‑tracking sites and salary archives show that he remains under this contract in 2026, with multiple seasons of guaranteed money still owed to him by the Golden Knights.
Salary
Karlsson’s current cap hit and base salary sit in the neighborhood of $5.9 million per season under his Vegas extension.
That figure has ranked him as a well‑paid but not top‑tier contract on the Golden Knights, which has often been cited as good value given his two‑way impact and playoff contributions.
Salary databases list his yearly earnings under the deal trending from roughly $5.9 million in the early years toward around $5.6 million in later seasons as the contract structure steps down slightly.
While he does not sit among the absolute highest‑paid NHL centers, his deal has been framed by analysts as cost‑efficient for Vegas relative to his minutes, defensive reliability, and scoring.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Team | Approx. Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Anaheim Ducks / Columbus Blue Jackets | Entry‑level range | Early NHL seasons under entry‑level contract |
| 2015–16 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Entry‑level / bridge | Depth center role |
| 2016–17 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Bridge‑deal range | Emerged as full‑time NHLer |
| 2017–18 | Vegas Golden Knights | Mid‑$ range | Breakout 43‑goal season |
| 2018–19 | Vegas Golden Knights | $5.25 million | One‑year arbitration‑avoiding contract |
| 2019–20 | Vegas Golden Knights | Around $5.9 million | First year of eight‑year extension |
| 2020–21 | Vegas Golden Knights | Around $5.9 million | COVID‑impacted season, same cap hit |
| 2021–22 | Vegas Golden Knights | Around $5.9 million | Continuing long‑term deal |
| 2022–23 | Vegas Golden Knights | Around $5.9 million | Part of Vegas core |
| 2023–24 | Vegas Golden Knights | Around $5.9 million | Ongoing contract |
| 2024–25 | Vegas Golden Knights | Around $5.8 million | Projected earnings |
| 2025–26 | Vegas Golden Knights | Around $5.7 million | Projected earnings |
| 2026–27 | Vegas Golden Knights | Around $5.6 million | Final listed year in some projections |
Career Statistics
| Season | Team | Games Played | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | ANA / CBJ | Standard rookie workload | Contributed in limited role | Provided depth offense | Early development stats |
| 2015–16 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Full season range | Improved scoring | Growing playmaking | Established as NHL regular |
| 2016–17 | Columbus Blue Jackets | Regular‑season slate | Solid two‑way play | Secondary assists | Earned expansion‑draft appeal |
| 2017–18 | Vegas Golden Knights | 82 | 43 | Career‑high assists range | Career‑best points total, franchise record goals at the time |
| 2018–20+ | Vegas Golden Knights | Consistent seasons | Double‑digit goals | Steady assists | Reliable top‑six contributor |
FAQs
What is William Karlsson’s net worth?
William Karlsson’s estimated net worth is about $18 million, based mainly on his long‑term Vegas contract, past career earnings, and modest off‑ice income, after typical taxes and expenses.
What is William Karlsson’s highest NHL salary season?
His peak annual pay aligns with the early years of his eight‑year, $47.2 million extension with the Golden Knights, when his cap hit and salary sit around $5.9 million per season.
How much has William Karlsson earned in his NHL career?
Public salary records show Karlsson has already earned over $31 million in NHL salary and is projected to finish in the mid‑$50 million range by the end of his current Vegas deal.
Does William Karlsson have major endorsement deals?
Karlsson benefits from local and lifestyle exposure in Las Vegas and through his marriage to influencer Emily Ferguson, but his primary income remains NHL salary, with no widely reported global signature deals.
What was William Karlsson’s biggest NHL contract?
His biggest contract is the eight‑year, $47.2 million extension he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2019, which carries an average annual value of about $5.9 million through multiple seasons.
