{"id":435353,"date":"2026-01-27T00:39:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T00:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/435353\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T00:39:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T00:39:08","slug":"william-nylander-reiterates-apology-says-frustration-led-to-middle-finger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/435353\/","title":{"rendered":"William Nylander reiterates apology, says frustration led to middle finger\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> star forward William Nylander<\/a> issued another apology Monday for putting up his middle finger during Sunday\u2019s game against the Colorado Avalanche<\/a>, saying frustration was the reason behind the incident.<\/p>\n

After posting an apology to Instagram Sunday evening, Nylander issued another mea culpa when speaking with reporters on Monday.<\/p>\n

\u201cSitting there, I got a text message\u2026 I was like oh, not a good idea. Not a good thing to do\u201d<\/p>\n

William Nylander on the moment he flipped off the broadcast camera. pic.twitter.com\/hPmj6LREQP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst off, I just want to apologize for my actions yesterday, it was out of frustration, so I\u2019m sorry about that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

What was Nylander frustrated about?<\/p>\n

\u201cJust not playing and want to be out there with the guys. Yeah, just frustrated.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked if he regretted what he did, Nylander said he clued in pretty quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Sitting there I got a text message. I was like oh, not a good idea. Not a good thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, Dakota Joshua<\/a>, Calle Jarnkrok<\/a> and Philippe Myers<\/a>. Nylander then briefly flashed his middle finger before the camera panned back toward the ice.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly love for leafs nation. sorry about my moment of frustration today! didn\u2019t mean to upset anyone. looking forward to being back on the ice and not in the stands. love willy,\u201d the Leafs star wrote as part of a post on Instagram Sunday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cMade 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\u2019s wrong and he owned up to it,\u201d Leafs head coach Craig Berube<\/a> told reporters Monday.<\/p>\n

TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reported Sunday evening that the NHL is looking into the incident and Nylander may face punishment.<\/p>\n

The NHL is looking at this William Nylander incident, per sources. It’s possible the #leafs<\/a> forward will face punishment for flipping the middle finger at the broadcast camera during today’s game. <\/p>\n

Nylander has since apologized, calling it a “moment of frustration.” pic.twitter.com\/rmitPYDyd2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Including Sunday\u2019s contest, Nylander has missed the previous five games with a groin injury. Toronto\u2019s loss Sunday afternoon was their fourth home loss in a row and their sixth defeat in seven games.<\/p>\n

Nylander said his goal is to be back in the lineup sometime during the team\u2019s six-game road trip, which begins Thursday in Seattle against the Kraken. Toronto will wrap up their five-game homestand against the Buffalo Sabres<\/a> Tuesday night before hitting the road.<\/p>\n