NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed this month that there was friction between William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs. As they go through a rocky 2025-26 season, as he said,  both sides now get a fresh start. 

William already appears to be putting all the tension behind him.

In a recent Instagram story shared by his brother, Alex, the winger was seen training on a stationary bike. This clearly is an early sign that his focus has already shifted toward next season.

Williams workout sneak peek comes after the discussions on the 32 Thoughts podcast on July 6. Friedman gave the clearest picture while speaking with Toronto's winger and the front office heading into next season.

Toronto just finished with 32-36-14 for 78 points, a minus-46 goal differential, and 28th place overall. They were closing on a seven-game losing streak. General manager Brad Treliving was fired right before the season ended, with John Chayka replacing him.

When speaking on the podcast, Friedman said, “I think last year was a really tough year between William Nylander and the organization, but everybody gets a fresh start.”

William's own year included a $5,000 fine this time, for an obscene gesture toward a broadcast camera. This was while he was out with a groin injury. In the meantime, many reports have talked about the tension with then-head coach Craig Berube over different expectations. 

Even after all this, William still scored 79 points on 30 goals and 49 assists in 65 games, marking his fifth-best season. The new head coach, Jim Hiller, was hired in June and is now working to rebuild and improve a few areas of the team.

William is entering the third year of his eight-year contract worth $92 million, which also includes a no-movement clause till 2032. He has been very clear about wanting to stay in Toronto, and even told the reporters that he loves the city and wants to win there.

Toronto’s Plans With The Lineup

William's commitment still raises questions, as it’s based on how coach Hiller plans to use him in the next season. As discussed in the article by Heavy, there were talks about reuniting him with Auston Matthews on Toronto's top line, just like their early years together under Mike Babcock's staff.

The Athletic's Jonas Siegel, too, has predicted a top-six list with first overall pick Gavin McKenna alongside Matthews and Nylander, with Matthew Knies, Tavares, and Easton Cowan on the second line. 

“The simplest answer to this question might just be the right one: Nylander, the best winger on the team,” Siegel wrote. “Does playing Matthews and Nylander together make the Leafs too top-heavy? It might, especially if [Gavin] McKenna is there too.

The move is a little risky, as putting Gavin McKenna, Matthews, and William together could weaken Toronto somewhere else. But it makes sense for general manager John Chayka's approach this offseason of prioritizing star power.

The Maple Leafs parted ways with Mitch Marner last summer and missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. With William fully committed to Toronto, and a new coaching staff set in place. It all depends on how Hiller uses him next season.

What are your thoughts on William Nylander's offseason preparation? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar