from David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal,

When William Karlsson stood in front of his locker at City National Arena in late April, he twice made reference to the possibility of not returning to the Golden Knights.

This isn’t to say the restricted free-agent center is leaving town, so don’t freak out just yet.

But it does illustrate that even the perpetually glass-half-full Karlsson recognizes the Knights’ salary cap constraints.

“Hopefully we can get a long-term deal going, and hopefully I’ll stand here in the fall,” he said following the postseason. “This is where I want to play. Hopefully I’ll be here for next year, too.”

Karlsson’s future could go a number of directions, from that new contract he mentioned to an unpleasant arbitration hearing or — gasp! — even a trade.

He’s also a prime candidate to receive the seldom-used offer sheet, which could put a serious crimp in general manager pro tem George McPhee’s best-laid plans for the summer.

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