Maple Leafs' Nylander Teases Return To Bauer Before New Season

William Nylander has become one of the most notable stars in the NHL over the past several seasons, and playing in Toronto has only magnified his popularity. Every aspect of his game is closely followed, including his habits with hockey equipment. 

Nylander has long been considered one of the more fascinating players for gear enthusiasts, and ahead of the 2025-26 season, he is once again sparking some intrigue about his setup.

For years, Nylander was a fixture with Bauer. He was a prominent face in their promotions, a player who embodied the brand’s sleek style, and he wore their equipment exclusively. That changed in December 2022 when he surprised many by using a Sherwood Code TMP Pro stick in one of his games with the Maple Leafs. 

At first, it seemed like a one-off experiment, the kind of test many players quietly do before returning to their usual gear. Instead, Nylander stuck with Sherwood sticks, and by the fall of 2023 he had fully committed by switching to Sherwood gloves as well. 

For nearly two full seasons, he became one of Sherwood’s most visible ambassadors. The partnership lined up with some of his best years on the ice, including a career-high 98 points during the 2023-24 campaign.

Now, as training camp winds down and the new season approaches, Nylander has thrown a wrinkle into the conversation. This preseason, he has been spotted with Bauer equipment once again. 

In particular, he has been seen promoting Bauer’s new Pulse stick and the 2025 Vapor FlyLite model. More notably, he has also brought back Bauer gloves at times, specifically the Supreme Machs. 

The Machs mark a return to the same glove line he wore before adopting Sherwood in 2023, when his last pair was the Supreme 2S Pros. At the same time, Nylander has kept things unpredictable by mixing and matching, using a Bauer stick with Sherwood gloves at some practices during camp. 

That kind of experimentation can certainly be considered as common during the preseason, when players have the chance to test out new gear before the regular season begins. But with Nylander, nothing is taken lightly. His every choice carries extra intrigue because of his status in the league and his history of changes.

With the Maple Leafs set to open their season at home against the Montreal Canadiens on October 8, equipment watchers will be paying close attention. 

Will Nylander take the ice back in full-Bauer gear, marking a reunion with the company that once defined his image? Or will he stick with the Sherwood setup that has coincided with the best hockey of his career? It is an open question, and one that adds another layer of intrigue to his season debut.

Regardless of which brand he ultimately commits to, William Nylander continues to be one of the NHL’s most fascinating figures when it comes to equipment habits. 

His nickname, “Willy Styles,” feels fitting in more ways than one. Whether it is a return to Bauer or a continued ride with Sherwood, his decisions will be watched closely, both by Maple Leaf fans and by the dedicated community of gear enthusiasts who live for these details. 

As always, Nylander is keeping people guessing, and that is part of what makes him such a compelling figure heading into the 2025-26 season.

Photo Credit: Michael Campanella