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Which NHLPA Player Awards Did the Maple Leafs Win?
William Nylander led the NHLPA poll for style, but it’s more than fashion in Toronto—personality, branding, and rivalry still help the Leafs.
William Nylander didn’t just score on the ice this season — he scored big in the style column, too. According to the NHLPA player poll, Nylander was voted the league’s most dapper dresser, stealing the spotlight (and 32.9% of the vote) well ahead of David Pastrnak and teammate Auston Matthews.
It’s easy to see why: Nylander’s postgame looks run the gamut from bare-chested swagger to deliberately offbeat coats, hoodies, and caps, and the cameras love it. The vote reflects what fans already see when the Leafs stroll into the rink — these guys care about how they present themselves.
They Don’t Call Him Willy Styles for Nothing
Nylander’s fashion cred even earned him some extra pop culture clout: his nickname “Willy Styles” ranked among the top five nicknames, a cheeky complement to Pastrnak’s ever-popular “Pasta.” Off the wardrobe front, Nylander also snagged the players’ nod for best social media presence after launching a YouTube channel that blew up this season. That gave him a healthy edge over Seattle’s Joey Daccord — and showed that modern NHL stars are building brands off the ice as much as reputations on it.
The poll wasn’t just a Nylander lovefest. Auston Matthews and Max Domi also registered in the social media and style conversations, and John Tavares drew praise for his old-school work ethic. At 35, Tavares played every game, and his commitment landed him among the top vote-getters for the most intense training regimen — even getting a few nods as someone who could be a great coach down the line. That mix of fashion, personality, and grind captures a lot of what the Maple Leafs are about: superstar flair married to veteran dedication.

The Maple Leafs Recently Loosened the Team Dress Code
There’s also the locker-room truth: Toronto has relaxed its team dress code in recent years, allowing players to express themselves more when they arrive for games. That freedom has turned walk-ups into must-see TV for fans and media alike, and it’s good PR for a team that, despite falling short in the playoffs this year, still commands attention.
No Surprise, the Maple Leafs vs. the Canadiens Is a Great Rivalry
And yes, the poll reinforced one long-standing rivalry: Maple Leafs vs. Habs ranked as the NHL’s biggest rivalry by a wide margin. So while the team didn’t get the postseason result it wanted, Toronto still dominates conversations — from fashion to feuds. Whether it’s a slick coat, a viral YouTube clip, or a stubbornly consistent captain, the Leafs are still front-page fodder, on ice and off.
Related: Are the Maple Leafs Really Looking at Mike Gillis, and Why Now?
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