William Nylander has openly expressed that his recent frustration contributed to a controversial gesture he made during a game broadcast; he is eager to return to the ice before the upcoming Olympics.
In Toronto, Nylander didn’t participate in the Maple Leafs' practice on Monday morning. However, he took the time afterward to clarify some misconceptions regarding his current injury status and discuss the incident where he directed a middle finger at a TV camera during Sunday’s match.
Over the weekend, Nylander resumed skating and engaged in additional practice ahead of Monday, yet he will be sidelined for his sixth consecutive game due to a groin injury when the Leafs face off against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.
He remains hopeful to rejoin his team at some point during their upcoming road trip, which kicks off Thursday evening in Seattle.
Additionally, Nylander is set to compete with Team Sweden in the Olympics taking place in Italy next week.
"It would obviously be great to get some game time before heading over there, but my priority is to come back as soon as I can, contribute here, and hopefully help secure some wins before the Olympics," Nylander stated.
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube emphasized the team's focus on getting Nylander back on the ice, acknowledging the significance of the Olympics for both Nylander and his country. "Our main concern is to assist our team, and while we recognize the importance of the Olympics, we need him back quickly to enhance our chances," he mentioned.
In a twist that surprised many fans, Nylander clarified that the aggravation of his groin injury did not occur during a celebratory moment in Las Vegas on January 15, as some had speculated. "Nothing happened there. It was actually during my first shift; I tried to keep playing but just didn’t feel right," he explained.
During that game, Nylander participated in four shifts in a match that ended in a narrow 6-5 overtime defeat against the Golden Knights, contributing with an assist and a goal.
This season marks a significant change for Nylander, as it is the first time he has faced substantial injury-related absences during the regular season in his career with the Leafs. Prior to this season, he had only missed one regular-season game due to injury in his entire tenure.
Here’s a quick look at his injury history:
- 2015-16: 0 games missed
- 2016-17: 1 game missed
- 2017-18: 0 games missed
- 2018-19: 0 games missed
- 2019-20: 0 games missed
- 2020-21: 0 games missed
- 2021-22: 0 games missed
- 2022-23: 0 games missed
- 2023-24: 0 games missed
- 2024-25: 0 games missed
- 2025-26: 14 games missed.
So far this year, Nylander has missed 14 games due to injuries, in addition to one game missed because of illness.
"He wants to play and be here to support the team, without a doubt," Berube noted. "Willy has gone through much of his career without significant time off, so dealing with this is a new experience for him. It’s tough for a player who is eager to compete.
"It is indeed frustrating," Berube added. "We want him back on the ice too. He is doing everything necessary to recover."
Nylander admitted that his frustration, particularly while observing from the press box alongside other scratched players, led him to make the inappropriate gesture captured by the camera during Sunday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche. He later apologized on Instagram for his actions. The NHL subsequently imposed a $5,000 fine on Nylander, which is the highest penalty allowable under their collective bargaining agreement for such behavior.
"I was just feeling frustrated," he confessed on Monday. "I truly apologize for that."
Berube acknowledged Nylander’s mistake, saying, "He recognized it and took responsibility. Mistakes happen; it’s part of being human. Players and coaches alike can err. He understands it was wrong and has accepted accountability."
Despite his absence, Nylander remains the leading scorer for the Leafs with 48 points this season. However, the team has struggled in his absence, losing four of the five games he has missed recently and six out of their last seven matches overall.
"You can’t easily replace that kind of talent," Berube remarked. "The entire team needs to step up. No single player can replicate what William Nylander brings to the table. That’s simply not realistic."
