The 2025-26 season is a big one for William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Not only is the clock ticking on their window to win with this core group, but it’ll be the first time they suit up without longtime teammate Mitch Marner.
Losing a superstar winger is never a good thing, although it could lead to others elevating their game to another level, potentially resulting in the team being in a better place overall.
Captain Auston Matthews will, of course, shoulder even more responsibility without his former setup man, but it’s Nylander who now takes over as the undisputed top winger in Toronto, and according to Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon, expect him to thrive under that pressure.
Dixon recently shared his bold predictions for the upcoming season, which included Nylander winning the Rocket Richard Trophy by potting over 50 goals.
“After a career-best 45 goals last year—and three consecutive 40-goal campaigns—Nylander will nudge up to 53 to lead the league in goals. Part of what ‘Willy’ has going for him is the fact he’s missed just one game in the past four years,” Dixon wrote.
Reasonable takes on what is going to happen in the 2025-26 season are all around us. But how about spicy predictions of things that might actually happen? @Dixononsports is here to add a double dose of hot sauce. https://t.co/dqlwFd2pVa
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 6, 2025
As Dixon referred to, the 29-year-old recorded his third consecutive 40-goal season in 2024-25, racking up 84 points (45 goals, 39 assists) in 82 games on the campaign.
Nylander will meet the moment
If there’s anybody who’s built to succeed, given more opportunity, and under increased pressure, it’s William Nylander.
Nobody has handled playing in the biggest hockey market in the world better than Nylander, and it’s safe to assume he’ll step up to the plate without Marner in the fold.
We’ve seen his point production and goal-scoring numbers rise to superstar levels in recent years, so there’s no reason to think he can’t reach new heights moving forward, beginning on Wednesday night in the home opener against the rival Montreal Canadiens.
