Toronto Maple Leafs star William Nylander remained humble after reaching the 40-goal milestone for the third straight season during a dominant victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.
Nylander found the net twice in the game, with his second goal marking his 40th of the season. When asked about his achievement, he kept his response simple, saying, “I mean, just trying to do what I’m paid to do. That’s it.”
Nylander’s 2024-25 season has been nothing short of outstanding. He currently ranks second in the league for goals, trailing only Edmonton Oilers’ standout Leon Draisaitl. In addition to his impressive goal tally, Nylander has racked up 77 points and, perhaps most impressively, has played in all 72 games for the Maple Leafs so far. If he remains healthy for the rest of the season, this would mark his third consecutive year playing all 82 games—a rare and commendable accomplishment.
This season also marks the first year of Nylander’s historic eight-year, $92 million contract extension, signed in January of the previous year. The deal, the largest in franchise history in total value, carries an $11.5 million annual cap hit and includes a full no-trade clause. With such a significant contract, there were some concerns heading into the season, but Nylander has more than lived up to expectations.
Playoff Consistency and Future Implications
While Nylander has been dominant in the regular season, the real test will come during the playoffs. Among the Maple Leafs’ “Core Four,” he has arguably been the most reliable performer in the postseason. In 54 career playoff games, he has registered 20 goals and 23 assists, totaling 44 points with a +1 rating. Despite missing the first three games of last season’s intense seven-game battle against the Boston Bruins, he still managed to contribute three goals in the series.
Nylander’s $11.5 million annual salary could also serve as a benchmark for teammate Mitch Marner, who is set to become a free agent. With the NHL salary cap set to rise over the next few years, it remains to be seen how it will impact upcoming contract negotiations.
The Maple Leafs are currently in a fierce battle for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, and securing the division title would be a major accomplishment. Outside of the 1930s, the franchise has only won its division twice, with one of those victories coming in the 2020-21 season when divisions were temporarily realigned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With Nylander playing at an elite level, Toronto will look to make a deep playoff run and capitalize on their regular-season success.