William Nylander Fined for Obscene Gesture, Issues Apology Amid Maple Leafs’ Struggles
William Nylander may be sidelined with a groin injury, but he still managed to make headlines Sunday - and not for the reasons the Toronto Maple Leafs would’ve hoped. The NHL has fined the star forward $5,000, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement, for making an obscene gesture during the Leafs’ 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Nylander, watching from the press box as he continues to recover, was caught on the broadcast flipping his middle finger toward the camera. The moment quickly made the rounds online, drawing attention not just for the gesture itself, but for what it seemed to represent: a bubbling frustration during a rough stretch for both the player and his team.
Shortly after the game, Nylander took to Instagram to apologize. “Only love for Leafs Nation,” he wrote.
“Sorry about the moment of frustration today! Didn’t mean to upset anyone.
Looking forward to being back on the ice and not in the stands. Love, Willy.”
The NHL, for its part, didn’t let the incident slide. In a statement Monday, George Parros, the league’s senior vice president of player safety, emphasized that player conduct rules don’t stop when the skates come off. “This serves as a reminder that the code of conduct governing players extends throughout the arena at NHL games and in public game situations,” Parros said.
It’s been a tough stretch for Nylander and the Leafs. The 29-year-old has now missed five games due to the groin injury, and Toronto has dropped four straight during that span.
His absence has been felt - Nylander leads the team with 47 points in 37 games and has already notched 17 goals on the year. He’s been a driving force offensively, and without him, the Leafs have struggled to generate consistent scoring.
There’s also a bigger stage looming. Nylander is slated to represent Sweden at the Olympics in February, and while the timeline for his return hasn’t been officially announced, all eyes will be on his recovery in the coming weeks. For now, though, the focus remains on the Leafs’ slide - and a moment of frustration that briefly stole the spotlight.
Nylander’s gesture may have been a flash of emotion in a frustrating moment, but it underscores the pressure cooker environment of NHL hockey, especially in a market like Toronto. The Leafs are searching for answers, and Nylander’s return can’t come soon enough.