MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 22: William Nylander (88) of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on during the third period of the NHL game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens on Nov 22, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • William Nylander fined maximum $5,000 for obscene gesture on broadcast
  • Leafs forward flipped off TSN camera from press box during loss to Colorado
  • Watch video of Nylander’s gesture and apology below

William Nylander just lost $5,000 for flipping the bird.

The NHL fined the Toronto Maple Leafs forward the maximum amount allowed under the collective bargaining agreement Monday for making an “obscene gesture” during Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Colorado. Nylander was shown on the TSN broadcast from the press box pointing his middle finger at the camera.

To put it in perspective, that’s just 0.04% of his $11.5 million salary. For the rest of us, it’s like losing $20 off a $50,000 paycheck.

The gesture came early in the third period while Nylander sat with other injured and scratched players. TSN cameras had been lingering on the group for about 10 minutes when Nylander smiled and flipped the bird.

Play-by-play commentator Gord Miller quickly reacted with a disapproving, “Oh, William.”

Check out the incident below:

Nylander quickly apologized on Instagram Sunday night.

“Only love for Leafs nation,” Nylander posted. “Sorry about the moment of frustration today! Didn’t mean to upset anyone. Looking forward to being back on the ice and not in the stands. Love Willy.”

He addressed the media again Monday morning at practice.

“Yeah, first off, I just wanna apologize for my actions,” Nylander said. “It’s a lot of frustration, so I’m sorry about that.”

NHL senior vice president of player safety George Parros called it “unsportsmanlike conduct” in his official statement.

“This serves as a reminder that the code of conduct governing players extends throughout the arena at NHL games and in public game situations,” Parros said.

The NHL hands out $5,000 fines like candy. That’s often the punishment for dangerous hits, too. So in the league’s eyes, flipping off a camera or boarding a guy into the glass? Same thing.

Nylander has been sidelined since Jan. 15 with a groin injury. He’s missed five games, and the Maple Leafs have lost four of them. For the record, the injury happened on his first shift against Vegas—not during a goal celebration, despite the rumors.

You can see why Willy is frustrated. Nylander leads the Leafs with 48 points in 37 games, but he can’t help his team right now.

The forward has been stuck watching from the press box as Toronto has lost six of its last seven and slipped five points out of a playoff spot.

Leafs coach Craig Berube defended his player Monday.

“He made a mistake and took responsibility for it,” Berube said. “Mistakes happen. He understands it was wrong and has owned up to it.”

Nylander resumed skating over the weekend and hopes to return during Toronto’s upcoming four-game road trip that starts Thursday in Seattle. He’s set to represent Sweden at the Olympics in February and wants to get at least one game in before heading overseas.

The $5,000 fine goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. The Leafs host Buffalo on Tuesday night, and it looks like Nylander will miss his sixth straight game.

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