The Toronto Marlies gave the city a reason to celebrate on Friday night by winning the second Calder Cup championship in franchise history. While the players were the main focus after the victory, a comment from Alex Nylander quickly caught the attention of Toronto Maple Leafs fans.

After helping the Marlies win the title, Nylander said that his older brother, William Nylander, had been closely following the team’s playoff run. When asked whether the Marlies’ championship run could inspire William and the Maple Leafs, Alex gave a confident and heartfelt answer.

“Oh yeah, he wants it so bad. He wants that cup," he said.

The younger Alex Nylander did not hesitate when talking about his brother. William Nylander has been one of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ best players for several years, but he is still chasing the biggest goal of all — winning the Stanley Cup.

Alex also made it clear that he believes his brother can eventually achieve that goal. “I know he can do it," he said.

Those comments look at what is motivating William Nylander as he prepares for the 2026–27 season. Seeing fans celebrate the Toronto Marlies’ Calder Cup victory at Coca-Cola Coliseum may remind him of how much a championship would mean to the Toronto Maple Leafs and their supporters.

The Marlies’ championship run featured strong performances, resilience, and important contributions throughout the playoffs. For Alex, winning a title in Toronto made the achievement even more special because he knows how much success in the city means to his brother.

William Nylander could be primed for another big season

While the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff struggles often receive most of the attention, William Nylander’s performance has rarely been the issue. The Swedish winger recorded 79 points in 65 games last season and extended his streak of 30-goal seasons to five straight years.

He has also produced well in the playoffs, recording 58 points in 67 postseason games, even though Toronto has not made a deep Stanley Cup run.

Looking ahead, Toronto’s updated roster could give him even more scoring chances. Playing alongside Auston Matthews and top prospect Gavin McKenna could help boost his production. Improvements on the power play and more playmaking support could also help set the stage for one of the best seasons of his career.

If Alex Nylander’s confidence is any sign, William Nylander is more determined than ever to win the Stanley Cup. After watching his younger brother celebrate a championship in Toronto, he now has even more motivation to chase hockey’s biggest prize with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

What are your views? Can William Nylander finally help lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a Stanley Cup and turn those championship dreams into reality next season? Comment down below. 

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Ankita Yadav