On 14 February 2013, Nylander made his HockeyAllsvenskan debut. Playing alongside his father Michael Nylander with Södertälje SK, he earned an assist in his first professional game on a goal by Robert Carlsson.[2] Nylander closed out his 2013–14 season with a successful 22-game rookie stint in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), where he would play as many as 20 minutes per night.[3] Ranked as a top prospect in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, he was ultimately selected eighth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.[4][5] Nylander was highly praised for his offensive talent and puck-moving abilities; however, criticisms were drawn to his defensive game and then-small stature, measuring 5feet 9inches (175cm) tall and weighing 169 pounds (77kg; 12st 1lb) at the draft combine.[6]
Toronto Maple Leafs
After being drafted eighth overall, on 18 August 2014, Nylander was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Maple Leafs.[7] Nylander began the season playing with MoDo Hockey of the SHL, tallying eight goals and 12 assists in 21 games, but on 12 January 2015, he was reassigned to the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, to further his development.[8] Nylander experienced a sensational campaign despite joining the AHL squad mid-season, scoring 32 points in 37 games playing on the right-wing. He was vital in helping the Marlies, who were at the bottom of the standings prior to Nylander joining, reach the 2015 Calder Cup playoffs. Although he left Modo Hockey after 21 games in the 2014–15 SHL season, Nylander was mentioned as a possible candidate for the SHL Rookie of the Year award.[9]
Nylander during the 2016 AHL All-Star skills competition
Nylander made his NHL debut on 29 February 2016, against the Tampa Bay Lightning at age 19.[10] He scored his first goal on 5 March 2016, against Andrew Hammond of the Ottawa Senators. His first NHL goal was assisted by Brooks Laich, who also assisted William's father Michael on his last NHL goal.[11]
The next season, Nylander made the Maple Leafs roster full-time. He debuted alongside Zach Hyman and Auston Matthews on 12 October 2016, in the season opener against the Ottawa Senators. Nylander quickly found chemistry with his linemates, helping Matthews set an NHL record for most goals scored in a rookie's debut with four by assisting on two of the goals. On 1 November, Nylander was named Rookie of the Month by the NHL for October.[12] He had recorded 11 points in nine games, which was good enough for second in league scoring and first among rookie players. After his hot start in October, Nylander struggled in November, scoring only five points in 13 games.[13] He had a nine-game goalless stretch between 27 October and 15 November.[13] Nylander recovered, scoring twice in three games, but then went on another scoreless stretch between 22 November and 22 December, a span of 13 games.[14] Nylander scored in back-to-back games to end the drought. He scored his first NHL career hat-trick on 4 February 2017, against the Boston Bruins.[15] Nylander's 61 points helped the Maple Leafs qualify for the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, where they were eliminated in six games by the Washington Capitals.[16]
During the 2017–18 season, Nylander was again placed on the top line with Matthews and Hyman.[17] Early in the season, Nylander went on an 11-game scoring drought, which ended in an overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils.[18] By scoring that goal, Nylander became only the second player in franchise history (the first being Miroslav Fryčer) to score the only goal of a regular season game in overtime.[18] He ended the regular season recording 61 points, the same as his rookie season. The Maple Leafs once again qualified for the playoffs, where they were eliminated in seven games of the first round by the Boston Bruins.[19] He recorded one goal and three assists during those seven games.
Nylander became a restricted free agent during the off-season. He went unsigned throughout the summer, seeking a long-term extension as opposed to a "bridge deal".[20] Nylander did not attend the team's training camp.[21] The Maple Leafs began the season without Nylander, as the two sides could not come to an agreement beforehand. As a restricted free agent, Nylander needed to sign before 1 December to be eligible to play during the 2018–19 season.[22] While away from the team, Nylander skated in Sweden and Austria. It was reported that he lost $30,000 in pay each day he remained unsigned.[23][24] It was later reported on 10 November, that the Maple Leafs were fielding offers for Nylander, just weeks before the 1 December deadline.[25] Just minutes before the deadline, Nylander agreed to a six-year, $45million contract.[26] Nylander was a healthy scratch for his first game back with the team, but made his season debut on 6 December, against the Detroit Red Wings.[27] He would struggle for the remainder of that season, scoring 27 points in 54 games.[28]
Nylander in 2024
Nylander's play markedly improved the following season, especially following the Maple Leafs' decision to replace Mike Babcock as head coach with Sheldon Keefe. When the NHL was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nylander had already set a career-high with 31 goals in 68 games, to go along with 28 assists.[28]
On 8 January 2024, Nylander was signed to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension by the Maple Leafs.[29] He was later named to the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, his first career NHL All-Star Game.[30]
Nylander made his senior team debut at the 2017 World Championship, where Sweden senior team won gold. He led his team in scoring with 14 points in 10 games and was named tournament MVP.[33]
Personal life
Nylander was born in Calgary while his father, Michael, was playing for the Calgary Flames. He is a dual citizen of Sweden and Canada.[31] He spent the majority of his youth in the United States where his father played for several NHL teams, spending the summers in Sweden.[34][35] His family later moved to Sweden when he was 14.
Brendan Frederick Shanahan is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player who serves as the president and alternate governor for the Toronto Maple Leafs, having previously served as the director of player safety for the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils second overall in the 1987 NHL entry draft, Shanahan played in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers.
Leonid Aleksandrovich Komarov is a professional ice hockey centre for HIFK of the SM-liiga. Born to an ethnic Russian–Finnish family in Estonia, and raised in Finland, Komarov plays for Finland internationally. A natural centre early in his career, Komarov has made the transition to being able to play all three forward positions.
John Tavares is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). In the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, he was selected first overall by the New York Islanders, for whom he played nine seasons and served as captain for five seasons. He also served as the captain of the Maple Leafs from 2019 through 2024.
Carl Gunnarsson is a Swedish former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played for Linköpings HC of the Elitserien (SEL) and the Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Jake William Gardiner is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 17th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Pontus Åberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward currently under contract with SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers in the National League (NL). He was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, 37th pick overall, by the Nashville Predators.
Morgan Frederick Rielly is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the first round, fifth overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Before being drafted, Rielly played with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. He has represented Canada internationally on several occasions, most notably at the 2016 World Championship, where he won a gold medal.
Andreas Karl Johnsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger for Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Johnsson played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, and Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round, 202nd overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
Calle Rosén is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Colorado Eagles in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Andreas Borgman is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with HC Fribourg-Gottéron in the Swiss National League (NL). Borgman was the recipient of the Swedish Hockey League Rookie of the Year honours for his achievements during the 2016–17 season.
Joshua Leivo is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing under contract with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He had previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) within the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes and St. Louis Blues organization.
Connor Brown is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Brown was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round, 156th overall, of the 2012 NHL entry draft. Brown played for the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 2011 until 2014, then for the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Toronto Marlies for the better part of two seasons before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs full-time in the 2016–17 season. He played for two more years with Toronto before he was traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2019. Brown spent three seasons with the Senators where he was an alternate captain. He was traded to the Washington Capitals heading into the 2022–23 NHL season.
Zachary Martin Hyman is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Mitchell Marner is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL entry draft.
Auston Taylour Matthews is an American professional ice hockey centre and captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Travis Dermott is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dermott was rated as a top prospect projected as a possible first round pick in the 2015 NHL entry draft but was ultimately selected in the second round, 34th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has previously played for the Maple Leafs, the Vancouver Canucks and the Arizona Coyotes.
Alexander Maximilian Michael Junior Nylander Altelius is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected eighth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 NHL entry draft. He is brother to Maple leafs superstar William Nylander.
Carl Erik Rasmus Sandin is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 29th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Sandin has previously played for the Maple Leafs and Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
Pontus Holmberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).
William Lagesson is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 91st overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2014 NHL entry draft. Lagesson has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks.
↑ Johnston, Chris (16 November 2017). "Relief finally comes as Nylander ends scoring drought". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 27 April 2018. Nylander finished his rookie season with 22 goals despite enduring stretches of nine and 13 games without one before December.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
Sweden 
