NHL insider Elliotte Friedman talked about William Nylander's relationship with the Toronto Maple Leafs in his '32 Thoughts' on July 6. 

After a difficult 2025-26 season for both the player and the team, the season ended with a coaching change and a new general manager. Friedman's assessment gives a better picture of where things stand moving into the next season.

Toronto finished last season 32-36-14 with 78 points, a minus-46 goal differential, and stood 28th overall in the league. This closes the season on a seven-game losing streak. General manager Brad Treliving was fired right before the season ended, and John Chayka has been replacing him ever since then. 

In the X post by @NHLRumourReport, Friedman's words were directly highlighted.

"I think last year was a really tough year between William Nylander and the organization," Friedman wrote. "But everybody gets a fresh start."

The comment is notable because it comes from one of the most connected reporters in the league, effectively confirming from the outside what had been circulating as rumor and speculation during the season. 

Nylander, meanwhile, was fined about $5,000 for an obscene gesture towards the broadcast camera. This was when he was out with a groin injury. It was reported throughout the year that there was tension with then-head coach Craig Berube over different expectations. 

Nylander was not the only one going through a bad season, either. Captain Auston Matthews finished with just 53 points in 60 games, which was below his usual pace. John Tavares scored 71 points with a minus-28 rating.

The new head coach, Jim Hiller, was hired in June. Despite the shakiness, Nylander still put up 79 points on 30 goals and 49 assists in 65 games. That includes 15 power-play assists that made him Toronto's most productive player.

What Nylander's future in Toronto Will Look Like?

Beyond the situation last season, there are also questions about how Nylander would fit into Toronto's plans in the future. Nylander is now entering the third year of an eight-year, $92 million contract that includes a no-movement clause till 2032.

According to an article from Heavy, it suggests that Hiller could reunite Nylander with captain Auston Matthews to play together again before drifting apart under previous coaching staffs. Chayka has said this approach is to use the star talent to its maximum, as he plans on getting in more high-end players this offseason.

Nylander has also been adamant about staying in Toronto; he told the reporters earlier this year that he loves the city and wants to win there. 

The team parted ways with Mitch Marner just last summer and missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. This does put pressure on the front office in their plans of rebuilding a stronger core.

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi