Difficult Decisions Loom: Should William Nylander Play in the Olympics?

William Nylander is in unfamiliar territory right now. The superstar winger has been one of — if not the — most durable players in the NHL over the past five years, yet in 2025–26 he has already missed double the amount of time he did during that entire stretch combined.

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From the shortened 2020 COVID season through 2024–25, Nylander appeared in 378 of a possible 384 regular-season games, showcasing remarkable durability on top of his elite production. This season, however, hasn’t been as smooth sailing, as Monday night’s loss to Minnesota marked the 12th game he’s missed out of 49, and a return does not appear imminent.

As a result, concern has begun to grow — not only about how long this absence could last, but also whether Nylander will be able to play in the February Winter Olympics. There’s no question he’ll want to represent his country, but the Maple Leafs are in a tight playoff race, and that is supposed to be the priority.

It’s a tricky situation, one that Jeff O’Neill and Jamie McLennan discussed recently on TSN’s OverDrive.

O’Neill said:

“All of them do, but it’s a dicey subject. Because a guy like that is a perfect example. These guys are dying to play in the Olympics — they’ve wanted it for so long — and I get it. But when you’re the team paying the bill, it’s like, ‘So let me get this straight: you’re dying to go over there, you haven’t played for us, and then your first games back are going to be over there?’ What if it’s worse when you come back? That’s going to be a spicy meatball when it comes down to it,”

McLennan added:

“It’s a great point because he’s making $11.5 million, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are paying him — not Team Sweden… His job is in Toronto, the Toronto Maple Leafs are one point out, they’re trying to make the playoffs,”

What makes the situation even more frustrating is that Nylander has been outstanding when healthy, still leading Toronto in scoring with 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) in just 37 games.

The 29-year-old is in year two of the aforementioned eight-year, $92 million extension he signed with the Maple Leafs in 2024.

William Nylander’s Olympic Fate Could Come Down to the Wire

While Nylander and the Maple Leafs still have more than three weeks to come to a decision, crunch time is approaching — especially if his absence drags on much longer.

Toronto has just eight games remaining before the Olympic break, and it’s hard to imagine the organization being comfortable with their $11.5 million winger heading overseas without getting at least a few games under his belt.

If he’s unable to suit up before then, that’s when GM Brad Treliving and the Leafs will face a difficult decision. As complicated as it may be, it’s also hard to imagine the organization wanting to deny the Swedish superstar his first Olympic appearance.

And Nylander isn’t the only Swede whose status is in question. Leo Carlsson, Joel Eriksson Ek, Gabriel Landeskog, Jonas Brodin, Victor Hedman, and Erik Karlsson are all currently sidelined as well, setting up what figures to be a tense couple of weeks as Sweden waits to see who will ultimately be available to go.

Next: Forget Floated Nylander Trade — Maple Leafs Can Land D-Man Another Way