Hello, hockey fans! If you love following the NHL and admire world-class, William Nylander is a name you’ll recognize instantly. William Nylander is a Swedish NHL star for the Toronto Maple Leafs, known for elite offensive skill, smooth skating, and big-game scoring. As of 2025, he is one of the highest-earning players in the league thanks to a long-term contract extension and growing off-ice income.
William Nylander’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | William Andrew Michael Junior Nylander Altelius |
| Nickname | Willy, Styles, Nylanderthals |
| Born | May 1, 1996 |
| Age | 29 years |
| Place of Birth | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| College | N/A |
| Turned Pro | 2013 |
| Current Team | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| Position | Right Wing |
| Net Worth | Estimated $30 Million |
| Annual Salary | $11.5 Million |
| Spouse | N/A |
| Relationship Status | Private |
| Instagram Profile | @williamnylander |
Early Career
Nylander’s path to the NHL was unconventional and rapid. Skipping the North American junior route, he turned professional in Sweden at just 16, playing alongside his father, Michael, for Södertälje SK. He later dazzled with MODO Hockey in the SHL, showcasing elite puck skills that made him a top prospect.
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected him 8th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He transitioned to North America in 2015, dominating the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, where his playmaking ability proved he was ready for the biggest stage in hockey.
Professional Career
Since making his full-time debut in 2016, Nylander has been a vital offensive engine for the Maple Leafs. He quickly established chemistry with Auston Matthews, but eventually drove his own line, proving he could carry the offense independently. His breakout came in the early 2020s when he transformed from a playmaker into a dual-threat scorer. By the 2023-2024 season, Nylander reached superstar status, recording a franchise-record 17-game point streak to start the year and shattering career highs in points.
He has now posted three consecutive 40-goal campaigns, including a career-best 45 goals in 2024-2025. Known for performing when the lights are brightest, Nylander is often Toronto’s most consistent forward during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His durability and ability to transport the puck through the neutral zone remain elite among NHL wingers.
William Nylander’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, William Nylander’s estimated net worth is approximately $30 million USD. This figure has grown significantly following the signing of his massive eight-year, $92 million contract extension in January 2024, which included substantial upfront signing bonuses. While his early career earnings were solid, his current deal pays him $13.5 million in total cash for the 2025 season alone, rapidly accelerating his wealth accumulation.
Prize Money
| Season | Team | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Total Cash Earnings |
| 2015-16 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $832,500 | $92,500 | $925,000 |
| 2016-17 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $832,500 | $92,500 | $925,000 |
| 2017-18 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $832,500 | $92,500 | $925,000 |
| 2018-19 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $10,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $12,000,000 |
| 2019-20 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $700,000 | $8,300,000 | $9,000,000 |
| 2020-21 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $2,500,000 | $3,500,000 | $6,000,000 |
| 2021-22 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $2,500,000 | $3,500,000 | $6,000,000 |
| 2022-23 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $2,500,000 | $3,500,000 | $6,000,000 |
| 2023-24 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $2,500,000 | $3,500,000 | $6,000,000 |
| 2024-25 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $3,500,000 | $10,000,000 | $13,500,000 |
| 2025-26 | Toronto Maple Leafs | $3,500,000 | $10,000,000 | $13,500,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | (Estimated) | ~$74,775,000 |
Endorsements
- Bauer Hockey: Nylander is a long-time user of Bauer equipment, wearing their skates and using their sticks exclusively on the ice.
- Rogers Communications: As a key player for the Leafs (owned partly by Rogers), he frequently appears in regional commercials and promotional campaigns for the telecom giant.
- Volvo Cars: Reflecting his Swedish heritage, he has partnered with Volvo for promotional spots in Canada and Sweden.
- Sonnet Insurance: He has appeared in fun, lighthearted commercials for this Canadian insurance company alongside teammates.
- Local Fashion Partnerships: Known for his style (“Willy Styles”), he often collaborates with local Toronto boutiques and fashion labels for smaller, niche campaigns.
Career Records
| Season | Team | GP | Goals | Assists | Points | +/- | PIM | Notable Achievement |
| 2015-16 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 22 | 6 | 7 | 13 | +1 | 4 | NHL Debut Season |
| 2016-17 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 81 | 22 | 39 | 61 | -3 | 32 | Rookie of the Month (Oct & Mar) |
| 2017-18 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 20 | 41 | 61 | +20 | 10 | Back-to-back 60+ pt seasons |
| 2018-19 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 54 | 7 | 20 | 27 | -4 | 16 | Shortened season (contract holdout) |
| 2019-20 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 68 | 31 | 28 | 59 | -2 | 12 | First 30-Goal Season |
| 2020-21 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 51 | 17 | 25 | 42 | +10 | 16 | Led Leafs in Playoff Scoring |
| 2021-22 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 81 | 34 | 46 | 80 | -9 | 16 | Career high in points (at the time) |
| 2022-23 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 40 | 47 | 87 | +10 | 28 | First 40-Goal Season |
| 2023-24 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 40 | 58 | 98 | +1 | 24 | Franchise Record 17-Game Point Streak |
| 2024-25 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 45 | 39 | 84 | +10 | 26 | Career High in Goals (45) |
| 2025-26 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 23 | 11 | 21 | 32 | +7 | 12 | Current Season (In Progress) |
| Totals | (NHL Career) | 708 | 273 | 371 | 644 | +41 | 196 | Top 10 in All-Time Leafs Scoring |
FAQs
1. Why is William Nylander nicknamed “Willy Styles”?
The nickname “Willy Styles” originated from his teammates and was popularized by his social media presence. It refers to his impeccable fashion sense and laid-back, cool demeanor off the ice. Nylander is often seen arriving at games in high-end designer suits, trench coats, and streetwear that stands out from the traditional, conservative “hockey player” dress code. He embraces the persona, often posting outfit photos on Instagram, and it has become a brand of sorts for him in Toronto. It also reflects his smooth playing style on the ice—he rarely looks panicked and handles the puck with a calm, stylish elegance.
2. What makes Nylander’s contract negotiation history so controversial?
Nylander is famous for his 2018 contract dispute, which remains one of the most high-profile holdouts in the salary cap era. After his entry-level contract expired, he and the Maple Leafs could not agree on a number. Nylander sat out the first two months of the 2018-2019 season, missing nearly 30 games. He eventually signed literally minutes before the December 1st deadline to be eligible to play that season. While fans were initially frustrated by the holdout, the contract (6 years at $6.9M AAV) eventually became one of the best value deals in the league as his production skyrocketed. His 2024 extension for $92 million was much smoother, signed mid-season to avoid any drama.
3. Does William Nylander play better in the Playoffs?
For years, a narrative existed that Nylander was a “perimeter player” who shied away from the physical battles of the playoffs. However, the statistics prove the exact opposite. Since 2021, Nylander has arguably been the Maple Leafs’ most consistent playoff performer. He often leads the team in transition entries and high-danger chances when the games get tight. In the 2021 series against Montreal, he was the only Leaf to score consistently, and he has a knack for scoring clutch goals when the team’s other stars are checked tightly. He thrives under pressure, using his skating to break heavy defensive traps.
4. How does his playing style differ from Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner?
While Matthews is a pure sniper and goal-scoring center, and Marner is an elite playmaking winger who kills penalties, Nylander is a “dual-threat” transition monster. His greatest asset is his neutral zone transition—he is one of the best in the world at carrying the puck from his own end into the offensive zone with control. Unlike Marner, who looks to pass first, Nylander is selfish with the puck in a good way; he will hold onto it for long stretches, circling the offensive zone until a shooting lane opens up. He plays a more individualistic game that drives possession, allowing him to anchor his own line effectively.
5. What is William Nylander’s connection to Michael Nylander?
William is the son of Michael Nylander, a highly skilled center who played over 900 NHL games for teams like the Rangers, Capitals, and Blackhawks. William grew up in NHL locker rooms, watching his dad play with legends like Jaromir Jagr. This upbringing gave him a professional maturity from a young age. Interestingly, William’s playing style mirrors his father’s significantly—both are known for their vision, patience with the puck, and ability to slow the game down. William has surpassed his father in terms of pure goal-scoring ability, but the “Nylander hockey IQ” is clearly genetic.
6. Has Nylander ever won any major awards?
As of 2025, Nylander has not won a major individual NHL award like the Hart (MVP) or Art Ross (scoring champion), primarily because he plays on a team with other superstars who often split the vote. However, his international resume is golden. He was the MVP of the 2017 IIHF World Championship, leading Team Sweden to a Gold Medal. That tournament was his “coming out party,” proving he could be the best player on a team full of NHLers. In the NHL, he has been voted to the All-Star Game, representing the Leafs as one of the league’s elite wingers.
7. Is William Nylander considered a Canadian or a Swede?
This is a common point of confusion. William was born in Calgary, Alberta, while his father was playing for the Calgary Flames, making him a Canadian citizen by birth. However, he spent the majority of his formative teenage years in Sweden after his father retired, and he identifies culturally as Swedish. He plays internationally for Team Sweden (Tre Kronor), not Team Canada. He speaks fluent Swedish and English. In the hockey world, he is categorized as a Swedish player, and his development path through the Swedish systems (MODO, Södertälje) solidifies that hockey identity.
8. What is the “Core Four” era in Toronto?
Nylander is one-quarter of the “Core Four,” a term used by media and fans to describe the Maple Leafs’ strategy of investing roughly half their salary cap into four elite forwards: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander. This strategy has been the defining topic of his career in Toronto. Critics often argued that the team couldn’t win with so much money tied up in four forwards, and Nylander was often the one suggested as “trade bait” to fix the defense. However, by signing his 8-year extension in 2024, the organization doubled down on him, signaling that they view him as irreplaceable to their championship aspirations.
9. How many languages does William Nylander speak?
William Nylander is bilingual, speaking fluent English and Swedish. His English is perfect with a standard North American accent, owing to his birth in Canada and spending much of his childhood in the United States while his father played for various NHL teams. He switches effortlessly between the two languages during interviews depending on whether he is speaking to North American media or Swedish outlets. This linguistic ability has helped him bridge the gap in the locker room, mentoring younger European players who join the Leafs while being a core leader for the North American group.
10. What are his hobbies outside of hockey?
Outside of hockey, Nylander is passionate about tennis and often plays during the offseason to maintain his conditioning and hand-eye coordination. He is also an avid golfer, like many NHL players. However, his biggest interest remains fashion. He enjoys shopping for high-end streetwear and attending fashion events. He is also known to be very close with his family; his younger brother, Alexander Nylander, is also a professional hockey player, and the two spend their summers training and living together in Sweden. He enjoys a relaxed, low-key lifestyle in the summer, often spending time on boats in the Stockholm archipelago.