Scouting Report: William Nylander

Player Profile

• Team: [Toronto Maple Leafs]

• Position: [RW/C]

• Shoots: [Right]

• Height / Weight: [6’0” / 203 lbs]

• Age: [29]

• Contract: [8 / 11.500,000]

Stats Snapshot

 

Play Style Breakdown

When you watch William Nylander, the first thing that stands out is how smooth everything looks. His skating doesn’t have the explosive, choppy power strides of a burner like Connor McDavid, but instead a controlled glide that seems to disguise just how much ground he’s covering. Nylander’s edgework allows him to maneuver through traffic and pivot away from defenders with ease, often leaving opponents reacting a half-step too late. He thrives at creating space not through brute force, but through intelligence, agility, and an ability to identify soft spots in defensive coverage.

One of Nylander’s greatest weapons is his knack for finding the open passing slot at the blue line. This has become something of a trademark for him with the Maple Leafs. He’ll drift into the high slot, often unnoticed by defensemen fixated on Toronto’s star centers, and then receive a perfectly timed feed. From there, he either unloads a lightning-quick shot or uses his vision to slip a pass through seams that seem impossibly tight. More than once, this has resulted in a clean breakaway, a byproduct of his awareness and chemistry with his teammates.

Speaking of his shot  it’s among the most precise in the league. Nylander doesn’t rely on sheer power, though he can certainly deliver when needed. Instead, he beats goaltenders with release and accuracy. His wrist shot, in particular, is lethal, often snapping off his stick before defenders even realize he’s in position to fire. Goalies frequently comment on how deceptive his release is, and this makes him a threat from virtually anywhere in the offensive zone. Whether it’s a one-timer on the power play or a quick wrister off the rush, Nylander’s shot consistently grades out as elite.

Offensively, Nylander can absolutely carry a line. He has the hands, skating, and creativity to drive play, especially when given the freedom to dictate pace through the neutral zone. He thrives on zone entries, where his controlled carry-ins are some of the best on the Leafs, and he often sets up extended offensive-zone possessions. That said, the optimal deployment for Nylander isn’t necessarily as the primary driver, but as a complementary star on the wing of a superstar center. With a playmaker who can draw defenders and feed him pucks in stride, Nylander becomes nearly uncontainable. When he’s slotted next to elite talent, his natural finishing ability and off-puck movement unlock an entirely different ceiling.

Of course, no player is without flaws. For Nylander, physicality and forechecking have often been cited as areas where he leaves more to be desired. He’s not a wrecking-ball forward who relentlessly hounds defensemen on the forecheck or finishes every check with authority. At times, this leads to stretches where his impact away from the puck is muted. Still, it would be unfair to label him as soft. Nylander uses his size in a more subtle but equally effective way — through puck protection. Once he has control, his lower-body strength and balance allow him to shield defenders and extend plays along the boards. While he may not intimidate opponents with brute force, few can consistently strip him of possession once he’s locked in.

Defensively, Nylander has evolved into a reliable contributor. Early in his career, he faced criticism for being too passive in his own end, but over the last several seasons, his positioning and backchecking effort have noticeably improved. He won’t win a Selke Trophy, but he has developed into a player Sheldon Keefe can trust in critical situations, especially when Toronto is looking to transition quickly from defense to offense. His ability to turn a defensive recovery into an instant rush chance is one of his most underrated skills.

When you pull back and look at the complete picture, Nylander represents the modern NHL winger: dynamic offensively, agile on his skates, dangerous as both a shooter and a passer, and able to drive play without needing to dominate physically. He may not bring the relentless edge of a Matthew Tkachuk or the bruising forecheck of a Mikko Rantanen, but his brand of hockey is no less valuable.

Ultimately, Nylander’s greatest strength lies in his adaptability. He can function as a line-driver when necessary, but he is at his absolute best when paired with a superstar center who can amplify his gifts. Whether it’s Auston Matthews drawing defensive attention or John Tavares working down low, Nylander consistently finds ways to exploit space and turn opportunities into goals. His combination of skating, puck protection, and elite shooting make him one of the most complete offensive weapons in the game.

At just 29 years old entering the 2025–26 season, Nylander is in the prime of his career. The Leafs know what they have: a winger who can change games with a single play, a player whose elegance on the ice belies the danger he presents every time he touches the puck. Fans may still debate his level of physicality, but when it comes to offensive impact, William Nylander belongs firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s elite wingers.

Career Progression Graph:

Comparables

William Nylander’s most direct comparable is David Pastrnak, who signed an eight-year, $90 million extension with an $11.25 million cap hit in March 2023. The similarity in both contract structure and market value reflects how closely aligned the two are in terms of production and impact at the time of their respective deals.

Other comparables that surfaced during Nylander’s negotiation included Filip Forsberg, Dylan Larkin, and Jesper Bratt. While these were considered less direct comparisons, each provides context for Nylander’s market value:

David Pastrnak

• Contract Similarity: Pastrnak’s extension was nearly identical in length and value, making it the most relevant benchmark.

• Production: Both players rank closely in league scoring and maintain similar points-per-game averages, highlighting their offensive parity.

Scouting Projection:

Role: Ideally remains a 1st-line winger alongside a superstar center (Matthews, Tavares replacement, or another elite pivot). Can drive his own line, but is best maximized as a complementary elite scorer/playmaker.

Strengths Carry Forward: Smooth skating, elite puck protection, and high-end shot accuracy will age well.

Areas of Concern: Physicality/forechecking effort may never be a strength, but his size allows him to sustain possession.

Longevity: His game is based on skill and hockey IQ, not raw speed or brute force, which means his production should remain strong even as he moves into his early 30s.

🤔 Fun Fact

[ His full name is William Andrew Michael Junior Nylander Altelius. ]