In a season where playoff success eluded them, the Toronto Maple Leafs have found a different kind of victory on the fashion front, as recognized by their fellow players across the National Hockey League.
Nylander Dominates Fashion Category
According to the annual National Hockey League Players Association poll, Maple Leafs winger William Nylander has been crowned the most dapper dresser in the league. The poll, which gathered votes from 348 players across all 32 NHL clubs, saw Nylander secure a decisive win with 32.9% of the votes.
This places him well ahead of Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak, who garnered 9.7%, and his own teammate Auston Matthews, who received 7.1%. Nylander's unique style, which often features creative coats, sweatshirts, or caps—and sometimes even bare-chested appearances during post-game interviews—has clearly made an impression on his peers.
Leafs' Fashion Forward Approach
The Maple Leafs have been among the teams that have relaxed traditional dress code restrictions in recent years, allowing players more freedom to express their personal style. This shift has provided increased camera coverage for players like Nylander and Matthews as they enter arenas on game nights, further highlighting their fashion choices.
Nylander's fashion-forward reputation has even earned him the nickname "Willy Styles," which ranked as the fifth-best nickname in the poll, just behind Pastrnak's popular moniker "Pasta."
Social Media Success and Other Categories
Beyond his sartorial achievements, Nylander also excelled in the social media category. He launched a new YouTube channel at the start of the season that quickly gained a massive following, earning him the players' choice for best social media presence with a 17.4% advantage over Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord.
Other Maple Leafs players made strong showings in this category as well, with Auston Matthews and Max Domi tying at 6.0%, just ahead of notable players like Florida's Brad Marchand and Edmonton's Connor McDavid.
Intensity and Rivalry Recognition
In more serious categories, Maple Leafs captain John Tavares received recognition for his dedication to training. Despite being 35 years old, Tavares didn't miss a single game this season and was ranked in a runner-up group with Connor McDavid and Kris Letang for the most intense training regimen. The clear favorite in this category was Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon.
Tavares also received votes as one of the players most likely to become a great coach upon retirement, trailing only the legendary Sidney Crosby in this category.
The poll also confirmed what many hockey fans already know: the rivalry between the Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens remains the biggest in the NHL. This classic matchup garnered 43.5% of the vote, while the Canadiens versus Boston Bruins rivalry came in second at 17.7%.
Expansion and Future Considerations
With expansion being a topic of discussion within the league, players were asked where they would like to see a new NHL team. Houston emerged as the top choice with 34.3% of votes, while Quebec City followed with 17.7% support.
The comprehensive NHLPA player poll provides unique insights into how players view their peers across various categories, from fashion and social media presence to training intensity and rivalries. For William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs, the results demonstrate that even in a challenging season, individual excellence and team recognition can still shine through.
