Nation Sites
The Nation Network
The LeafsNation has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Maple Leafs’ Nylander expands on working relationship with Berube, life without Mitch Marner
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2025, 09:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 2, 2025, 23:30 EST
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has not been afraid to be critical of William Nylander when the star winger is not playing up to his standards. While it is not uncommon for past coaches to give him an earful during bad stretches of play, it seems to have been kicked up a notch since Berube took over, and yet Nylander always responds with strong play.
Nylander spoke about his relationship with his coach during an interview with The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel, touching on how beneficial Berube has been in playing a simple game.
“He’s very easy to talk to,” Nylander said. “It’s like any coach. Sometimes you butt heads, and you get into it now and then. But that’s different. That’s the hockey part. But he’s also just a regular person that you can talk to about whatever.”
While it’s business as usual with Berube, Nylander and the Maple Leafs are still adjusting to life without Mitch Marner, who was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights.
“I mean, obviously, we miss him. But that hasn’t changed anything for me, if that’s what you’re askin. In the beginning, it was weird because you know — but now you’re used to him not being here,” Nylander said of his teammate of nine seasons. “Obviously, Mitchy did talk — talk like a lot. Other guys, as you know, talk too. I mean, it sucks to not have him, obviously. But we’re not focused on that. It’s just a little adjustment.”
In the absence of Marner, Nylander has taken it upon himself to step up in the playmaking department, and it has resulted in him being on pace for his best season yet. Nylander has admitted that at times he felt he was passing too much, but he knows that giving a consistent effort on offence will help keep his team competitive. That ability to stay focused on what he has to do and not get drowned out by the outside noise has been a superpower of sorts for Nylander, especially given that he plays in Toronto.
“Maybe it’s because I don’t really care what anybody else outside the room is thinking,” Nylander said. “I just know what my level is and what I can and should be bringing to the table. And anybody else, like, it doesn’t matter. I have pretty high standards for myself.”
PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER
Introducing Off The Roster—Toronto Sports, Unfiltered! Toronto sports fans, your new favourite conversation has arrived. Hosted by Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio, Off The Roster dives into the city’s legendary plays, brutal trades, OG jerseys, celebrity tweets, and everything in between. Raw, fun, and totally unfiltered, this is Toronto sports like you’ve never heard it before. Tune in live every weekday morning on the Nation Network YouTube channel, or catch episodes wherever you stream podcasts. Proudly brought to you by our founding partner, PROLINE. Off The Roster—the new sound in the 6ix.
Breaking News
- Guy Gadowsky thinks Gavin McKenna is perfect for Toronto: Leafs Morning Take
- 2 Maple Leafs draft picks go unsigned, will re-enter 2026 NHL Entry Draft
- Frederik Andersen reflects on friendships with Mitch Marner, late agent Claude Lemieux ahead of Cup Final
- Luke Haymes deems Marlies’ Game 3 loss ‘just not good enough’, Toronto holds 2-1 series lead
- Jack Eichel feels Mitch Marner was treated unfairly in Toronto