Maple Leafs Star William Nylander has Surprising Rank in List of Top Wingers in the League

With a new NHL season approaching, the Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing to usher in a new era of Leafs hockey after star winger Mitch Marner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, leaving a significant void in the team's offensive core.

Marner's departure places added pressure on William Nylander, who will be expected to shoulder much of the burden of replacing Marner's lost offense. As the Leafs' top remaining winger, all eyes will be on Nylander to step up.

In the NHL Network's list of the top 20 wingers heading into the 2025-26 season, Nylander earned an impressive 6th place ranking, just one spot behind his former teammate, Mitch Marner, who ranked 5th.

As per NHL Network on X:

With Marner gone, Nylander will have a lot to prove -- not only that he can lead the offence, but that he can do so as a franchise cornerstone. Expect him to play with a chip on his shoulder, especially as he looks to establish himself as the better winger in the post-Marner era.

Nylander is coming off of an impressive season, scoring a career-high 45 goals and totalling 84 points in 82 games. He was also Toronto's top playoff performer, registering 6 goals and 15 points in 13 games during the postseason.

His stellar year earned him the prestigious Golden Puck Award, given annually to Sweden's top hockey player -- another testament to his elite talent and rising status in the league.

While losing Marner is undoubtedly a blow, Toronto is in a rare position of having a high-caliber replacement already in place.

As the Leafs enter a new chapter, Nylander, Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and the new arrivals will need to step up. With a revamped roster and newfound depth, the team will be looking to prove they can thrive in the post-Marner era.