The Toronto Maple Leafs lost a big member of their roster this summer. Mitch Marner joined the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade deal before NHL Free Agency began. However, they still have a really good team. For instance, William Nylander remains a member of this team.
Nylander, like Marner before this past offseason, has spent his entire career in Toronto. The former eighth-overall pick is also signed long-term, as well. He inked an eight-year contract with Toronto on January 8, 2024.
Nylander has etched his name in franchise history to this point. He is top-10 all-time in terms of goals, assists, and points in franchise history. He already has four points in two games this year. And he is generally one of the best players in the league.
The Maple Leafs don’t have a ton of postseason success with him, unfortunately. In fact, Toronto has just two playoff series victories with Nylander. It’s not the sort of success the team has wanted to have, but they are hopeful to achieve down the line.
Nylander, though, is focused on succeeding with the Maple Leafs. He recently helped teammates Simon Benoit and Max Domi hand out meals to the homeless on Canadian Thanksgiving. And he was feeling quite thankful himself in the moment.
“I’m thankful to play here, to live here. I’ve done it my whole career. It’s all I’ve ever known,” Nylander told NHL.com.
“Giving back and helping people that need help, I think that’s very special. I’ve always been like that. I mean, I’m thankful for what I have and, you know, share a little bit.”
William Nylander’s Stance On Stanley Cup Chase
Minas Panagiotakis/Getty ImagesWilliam Nylander is proud to be a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A major storyline surrounding Nylander and his teammates is their chase for the Stanley Cup. Toronto has not won the Cup since 1967. They have come close in a few seasons. But more recently, they have been unable to deliver a championship to the city of Toronto.
And the Maple Leafs fanbase badly wants to see a Stanley Cup. Hockey is ingrained in the culture of the city. Winning a Stanley Cup would mean more than any other championship.
Nylander knows how hard it is to win the Cup. He certainly wants to lift it over his head. However, he isn’t stressing about it too much. He believes it’ll all come together someday.
“I just look at it that, eventually, it has to happen,” he told Hockey Night in Canada recently. “Hopefully it happens while I’m in Toronto and still playing. But eventually it’ll happen. That’s the way I look at it.”
Maple Leafs Having Up-And-Down Start
The 2025-26 season is only two games old for Toronto. And those two games have showed some highs and lows with this team. The Maple Leafs won their first game by a score of 5-2 against the Montreal Canadiens. Their second game, though, did not go so well.
Things started off well enough against the Detroit Red Wings. They had a 2-0 lead after one period and seemed to be in control. However, Detroit came back and eventually won 6-3.
Nylander and his Maple Leafs teammates have a chance to gain a measure of early-season revenge, however. Toronto and Detroit face off again on Monday afternoon in Toronto, just before the Toronto Blue Jays host the Seattle Mariners for Game 2 of the ALCS.
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