The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed center William Karlsson to a two-year contract extension valued at $2 million. The contract carries a $1 million cap hit. For a team quickly approaching the cap ceiling while still needing to sign pending RFA defenseman Seth Jones, why does a William Karlsson contract extension make sense?
Blue Jackets sign William Karlsson to two year deal. Worth $1 million per season
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 23, 2016
William Karlsson Contract Extension Good Move for Blue Jackets
2015-2016 was the first full NHL season for the 23-year-old Swedish forward. During this campaign, he tallied nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points over 81 games. In addition, he had six goals and a +14 rating over the final 39 games of the season. Karlsson finished tied for second in number of of games played among all NHL rookies.
Karlsson spent the majority of the season in the bottom six of the lineup. However, his game showed marked improvement as the season went forward. Under head coach John Tortorella, he took more responsibility while increasing his presence in key moments.
“He looks like a smart player and I think he’s cerebral. He can skate,” Tortorella told the Blue Jackets website. “He makes subtle plays that a lot of people may not see when you’re watching the game. When you’re looking at the details of it, he’s a smart guy. For a young kid being put in the spots he’s put in right now, he’s handled it pretty well.”
Multiple times throughout the season, Karlsson sparked other players and kicked off the scoring of a game. Many fans will remember the two-on-one rush against the Washington Capitals, which teed up Kerby Rychel for his first career NHL goal.
First Home Win
Karlsson was the driving force behind the team’s first home victory of the season. On November 14, 2015, against the Arizona Coyotes, Karlsson buried a pass from Scott Hartnell just 99 seconds into the game. His second goal of the night came midway through the third, giving the Jackets a 4-2 lead.
“William Karlsson made great strides in his first NHL season and we believe that he is just beginning to come into his own as a player,” said general manager Jarmo Kekalainen via a press release. “He is an important part of our young, core group of players and we are pleased that he will continue to grow, develop and contribute to our team as we move forward.”
The Blue Jackets obtained Karlsson at the 2015 trade deadline from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman James Wisniewski. At this time, he was a relative unknown. Now, he is a key component to the depth of the team.
Karlsson’s intelligence, stick work and patience makes him an essential piece to a young team trying to find their identity. Therefore, signing him was a vote of confidence in the direction of the team’s youth movement and development.
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