Golden Knights center rejoins team, return seemingly close

SALT LAKE CITY — Off in the horizon, a wild … Wild Bill appeared at Vegas Golden Knights morning skate on Friday.

Center William Karlsson returned to the ice for the first time in almost six months the morning of the Knights’ potential close-out Game 6 against the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center.

Karlsson hasn’t been seen since Nov. 8 when he suffered a lower-body injury against the Anaheim Ducks. Karlsson played the first period, did a TV interview during intermission, then didn’t return.

The 33-year-old Original Misfit did not take part in line rushes, indicating he will not play, but a sign that he’s inching closer to a return.

“He’s just with the team,” coach John Tortorella said. “He’s been skating. We want him around the team.”

When asked how close Karlsson is, Tortorella said, “We’re not even into that.”

“This has nothing to do with Will being close,” he added. “He’s gone through his progression. He’s been working out. We just wanted him to travel with the team.”

Karlsson has dealt with significant injuries the past couple of seasons.

He missed 29 games last season with a lower-body that forced him to withdraw from representing Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

This injury prevented him from representing his home country in the Winter Olympics in February.

Karlsson has played 569 of his 752 career games with the Knights, the third-most in franchise history behind defensemen Shea Theodore (581) and Brayden McNabb (647).

His 71 playoff points are fourth most in franchise history.

“He’s been going through a lot of injuries for a while,” longtime linemate Reilly Smith said. “It’s probably as tough mentally as it is physically. Being on the road with everyone and being a part of the group, I’m sure for him, it’s a little light at the end of the tunnel. He’s a ray of sunshine for everyone.”

General manager Kelly McCrimmon said in March that he didn’t expect Karlsson to return unless the Knights “had some success in the playoffs for him to play again.”

Smith said Karlsson’s speed and playmaking ability are assets that have been missed in the Knights’ lineup.

“He’s a guy who has given this organization a lot of success,” Smith said. “He’s definitely been missed.”