Toronto Maple Leafs star forward William Nylander issued another apology Monday for putting up his middle finger during Sunday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, saying frustration was the reason behind the incident.
After posting an apology to Instagram Sunday evening, Nylander issued another mea culpa when speaking with reporters on Monday.
“Sitting there, I got a text message… I was like oh, not a good idea. Not a good thing to do”
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 26, 2026
William Nylander on the moment he flipped off the broadcast camera. pic.twitter.com/hPmj6LREQP
“First off, I just want to apologize for my actions yesterday, it was out of frustration, so I’m sorry about that,” he said.
What was Nylander frustrated about?
“Just not playing and want to be out there with the guys. Yeah, just frustrated.”
When asked if he regretted what he did, Nylander said he clued in pretty quickly.
“Yeah. Sitting there I got a text message. I was like oh, not a good idea. Not a good thing to do.”
With the Leafs trailing the NHL-leading Avalanche 3-0 early in the third period, a TSN camera panned to an injured Nylander sitting in a booth with teammates Chris Tanev, Dakota Joshua, Calle Jarnkrok and Philippe Myers. Nylander then briefly flashed his middle finger before the camera panned back toward the ice.
“Only love for leafs nation. sorry about my 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,” the Leafs star wrote as part of a post on Instagram Sunday night.
“Made a mistake. He owned up to it. You know, things happen. People make mistakes. Players make mistakes. Coaches make mistakes. It happens ... He knows it’s wrong and he owned up to it,” Leafs head coach Craig Berube told reporters Monday.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reported Sunday evening that the NHL is looking into the incident and Nylander may face punishment.
The NHL is looking at this William Nylander incident, per sources. It's possible the #leafs forward will face punishment for flipping the middle finger at the broadcast camera during today's game.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 26, 2026
Nylander has since apologized, calling it a "moment of frustration." pic.twitter.com/rmitPYDyd2
Including Sunday’s contest, Nylander has missed the previous five games with a groin injury. Toronto’s loss Sunday afternoon was their fourth home loss in a row and their sixth defeat in seven games.
Nylander said his goal is to be back in the lineup sometime during the team’s six-game road trip, which begins Thursday in Seattle against the Kraken. Toronto will wrap up their five-game homestand against the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday night before hitting the road.
