William Nylander’s Olympic Return Sparks Familiar NHL Debate: Club vs. Country
William Nylander has built a reputation in Toronto as one of the Maple Leafs’ most reliable and durable forwards. Game in, game out, he’s been a fixture in the lineup, bringing consistency and offensive punch. But this season, a lingering lower-body groin injury has thrown a wrench into that dependability, sidelining him for multiple weeks and forcing the Leafs to navigate life without one of their most productive weapons.
So when Nylander missed practice time just ahead of his Olympic debut for Team Sweden, alarms understandably went off back in Toronto. Was he healthy enough to play?
Should he even suit up for the Olympics at all? But then came the twist: not only did Nylander take the ice for Sweden’s opening game against Italy-he scored the game-winner in a 5-2 victory.
Just like that, the conversation shifted from “Will he play?” to “Should he have played?”
After the game, Nylander was asked about the groin. “No, not today,” he said when asked if it was bothering him. A short, confident answer-but the “not today” part likely didn’t do much to ease the nerves of Leafs management, who are watching their star winger compete on the international stage just weeks after being sidelined in the NHL.
That’s where the long-running debate reignites: when a player is banged up, who gets the final say-team or country?
Former NHLer and TSN analyst Jeff O’Neill didn’t mince words on Overdrive, saying that if there’s even a hint of injury, Nylander should be “done” with the Olympics. His take was simple: when your NHL team is paying you millions, they should have the final say.
But not everyone sees it that black and white. Co-host Jamie McLennan pushed back, pointing out that without knowing the specifics of the injury, it’s tough to make a blanket call like that.
And that’s the heart of the issue-this isn’t just about contracts or salaries. It’s about pride, legacy, and the rare chance to wear your country’s colors on the Olympic stage.
Hours before puck drop, Sweden’s head coach Sam Hallam wasn’t even sure if Nylander would play. Whether that was gamesmanship or genuine uncertainty is unclear, but it’s safe to assume Nylander had a say in the final decision.
Against an opponent like Italy, it would’ve made sense to rest him-save the legs for tougher matchups ahead. But clearly, Nylander wanted in.
And that’s where things get complicated for NHL teams. The Maple Leafs, like every other club with Olympians on the roster, walk a fine line.
They invest heavily in their stars-financially, strategically, emotionally. But when the Olympics come calling, those same stars are often willing to take risks their teams wouldn’t advise.
It’s not just Nylander. Auston Matthews, Toronto’s other franchise cornerstone, has battled his share of injuries in recent seasons.
As the Milano Cortina Games approached, questions swirled about whether he should participate too. Imagine the Leafs stepping in and telling both Matthews and Nylander to stay home.
That’s not just a tough conversation-that’s a potential fracture in the player-team relationship.
And it’s not just a Toronto issue. Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and other NHL superstars have been waiting years for this moment.
The last time NHL players hit the Olympic ice was back in 2014. For many of them, this is a once-in-a-career opportunity.
Telling them “no” now? That’s a move that could echo well beyond this season.
In the end, NHL teams don’t hold much leverage once a player decides to go. The league may not officially send its players, but once they’re there, it’s up to the national team’s medical staff, the player’s own judgment, and a whole lot of crossed fingers from the front office.
So the Maple Leafs, like many other teams, are left watching from afar-hoping their stars light up the Olympic stage and come back in one piece. Because while gold medals are nice, it’s the Stanley Cup chase that ultimately defines a season. And for a team like Toronto, built to contend, they’ll need Nylander-and Matthews-healthy and ready when the NHL spotlight returns.
