Maple Leafs’ William Nylander earns two top honours in NHLPA player poll

William Nylander is most dapper dresser in the league according to the annual National Hockey League Players Association poll. Read more.

Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox

Published Apr 17, 2026  •  Last updated 6 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander was named the most fashionable player in a NHLPA poll. William Nylander/Instagram

They ran out of playoff runway this year, but the Maple Leafs are still killing it on the fashion runway with their peers.

William Nylander is the most dapper dresser in the league according to the annual National Hockey League Players Association poll.

Article content

Article content

The Toronto winger, who alternately appears bare-chested for formal post-game interviews or with some creative coat, sweatshirt or cap, had 32.9% of votes in a decisive win over good friend David Pastrnak of the Bruins (9.7%) and teammate Auston Matthews (7.1%).

Matthews and Nylander often have done well in this vote as well, especially when players get plenty of camera coverage entering the arena on a game night.

The Leafs were among teams relaxing such team dress code restrictions in recent years.

Article content

Nylander’s related moniker — Willy Styles — also was ranked fifth-best nickname after Pasternak’s ‘Pasta.’

It wasn’t just the clothing department where Nylander excelled. He launched a new YouTube channel at the start of this season that garnered a huge following to make him the players’ choice for best social media presence, a 17.4% advantage on Seattle goalie Joey Daccord.

Two other Leafs were right behind, Matthews and Max Domi, at 6.0%, just ahead of Florida’s mischievous Brad Marchand and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid.

In a more serious category, Toronto’s John Tavares — who didn’t miss a game this season at age 35 — ranked in a runner-up group with McDavid and Kris Letang for most intense training regimen behind clear favourite Nathan MacKinnon of Colorado.

Tavares also got a few votes behind Sidney Crosby as the most likely to be a great coach upon retirement.

Read More

1. 

   Maple Leafs reportedly talking to Mats Sundin about front-office role

2. 

   Sunny Mehta scratched off Leafs' GM hunt, hired by New Jersey

The Leafs and Montreal Canadiens also were named the biggest rivalry in the NHL by a wide margin. Leafs-Habs garnered 43.5% of the vote while the Canadiens vs. the Boston Bruins came second at 17.7%.

The poll was taken among 348 players from all 32 clubs.

Expansion has been a recent topic of discussion within the league and players were asked where they would like to see a new team. Houston came out on top with 34.3% of votes while Quebec City was second at 17.7%.

[email protected]

X: @sunhornby

Article content