The NHL recently published its list of the league’s Top 20 wingers, aiming to spark excitement as the new season approaches. While Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning secured the top spot, the inclusion and placement of other players have generated notable discussions among fans. William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs, positioned between Mitch Marner at number five and Matthew Tkachuk at number seven, signals a strong potential for a breakout 2025-26 season.
Nylander’s ranking on the NHL’s list reflects growing anticipation around his role with the Maple Leafs, as he prepares to take on greater responsibilities in the wake of roster changes during the offseason.
Expanding Role for Nylander Following Marner’s Departure
With Mitch Marner’s departure to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Maple Leafs’ former “Core Four” reshaped into a “Core Three” consisting of Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander. This shift places a heavier load of expectations on Nylander, creating opportunities for increased ice time and a more pivotal role in the team’s offense.
The transition represents both a challenge and a chance for Nylander to elevate his play and unlock new potential in the upcoming season. His positioning ahead of prominent wingers like Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Kyle Connor, and Brady Tkachuk in the rankings underscores this momentum.
Recent Achievements Underscore Nylander’s Rising Status
Standing at 29 years old, Nylander’s placement at sixth on the NHL’s list marks another notable milestone in his career. Aside from his league accomplishments, he recently earned the Golden Puck Award, Sweden’s highest hockey honor. Although Canadian-born, Nylander represents Sweden internationally and was among the first six players named to Sweden’s roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
In the 2023-24 NHL season, Nylander posted impressive statistics, averaging over 19 minutes of ice time per game while collecting 84 points in 82 regular-season games. He also added 15 points during 13 playoff games.
Nylander was second in the NHL with 45 goals last season and was second for the Maple Leafs with 84 points. It was the third straight season the 29-year-old right wing has scored at least 40 goals, and his 125 goals are tied for seventh in the NHL during that span.
This consistent performance reflects his growing offensive impact for the Maple Leafs and cements his status among the league’s top scorers.
Confidence and Expectations Set the Stage for an Impactful Season
Sports analyst Pierre McGuire has indicated that Nylander may be on the path to surpassing expectations in the season ahead. McGuire highlighted Nylander’s confidence as a key factor entering the new campaign, suggesting that the winger could achieve entirely new levels of success.
a whack of confidence into this season.
—Pierre McGuire, Sports Analyst
Given these offseason achievements and his elevated team role, Nylander’s trajectory positions him for continued growth and the potential to shine as one of the NHL’s top wingers in the near future.