Nylander spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of Team Sweden’s tournament opener against Canada.

A day before the much-anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off is set to kick off, Toronto Maple Leafs and Team Sweden star forward William Nylander spoke to the media ahead of the tournament opener against Canada on Wednesday.

Nylander surveyed questions about the upcoming matchup, his Maple Leafs and international teammates, his role as a leader, and what it’d mean to win the tournament with Team Sweden – amongst many other talking points.

Q: What for you would be the key to a good start against Canada?

“I think it's going to be a great game – high-paced. I think tomorrow is just starting simple and easy. Getting pucks in is your opportunity in the game.”

Q: Who are you most excited to play with here among your teammates?

“There are obviously a bunch of incredible players but I think (Victor) Hedman – we've seen him a lot. I've seen him a lot through the years on the other side so it'll be fun to play with him.”

Q: Do you feel that this tournament is like a practice tournament for what will happen next year? Olympics and stuff?

“Yeah for sure. I think that's a positive way to look at it but also you're competing against the best in the world so I think that aspect of it is very fun.”

Q: What do you remember about playing Mitch the last time? I know it was a while ago, but what do you remember about that experience?

“I think that was at the time we won. Yes, it was. Yeah, so it was obviously a lot of fun playing against him, but we won that one. So hopefully we win tomorrow again.”

Q: What have you done with your gold medal from that tournament?

“It's hanging somewhere, I think in my apartment in Sweden.”

Q: If a teammate here asked you, like, what's the key to stopping Mitch? Would you have a good answer or what would you say?

“I think it's just so hard to say that he does one in particular thing. Like, all the time. He's very shifty and I think hard to read, you know?”

Q: I know from a young age you've represented Sweden, but given you were born in Calgary, do you ever give any consideration to playing for Canada? As a kid maybe? Or did you talk to your dad?

“You know what? I think from when I was a kid I was just always considering myself Swedish. So, when I realized I was good enough to compete for the junior national team, I wasn't even thinking about playing for Canada or anything. Although, that was an option too, if you look back at the time.”

Q: We've asked you guys to make a tournament MVP pick. You are a very popular name. Just curious about your reaction to that.

“Yeah, I mean, I appreciate that. A lot of pressure. So, I've got to get going tomorrow.”

Q: Do you think that the clutch gene in players, do you think you're just born with it or is it something you've developed and experienced?

“It's hard to say. I mean, I don't know. I think it's just... I don't know. That's a hard one.”

Q: What sort of atmosphere are you expecting in this building tomorrow night? What does that do for your game, do you think? That sort of atmosphere?

“Probably something like a Leafs-Montreal game here. Very, very amped up. A lot of fun. You're buzzing going into the game. So, I mean, it's very exciting.”

Q: You always come across as really relaxed and chill, like nothing ever gets to you. Meaning, back to that first contract extension, you said, "Let's get something done." You just always seem to be calm, cool, and collected. Is that really who you are or is that an outward show?

“I just think I am like that, but I mean, like, I'm playing against the best players tomorrow in the world on Team Canada. Like, obviously, you're feeling some kind of, excited, a little nervous, of course. I mean, that's just natural, but that's how it is. I like feeling like that. I think it's good.”

Q: What was the young Linus Ullmark like? He was just telling me that you guys played together quite a ways back. What was he like when you were kids?

“We played together in Modo there. I'd say he's just the same way now as he was then, like off the ice. Obviously, on the ice, we've both become better players since we were kids. But, yeah, probably very similar to what he is now.”

Q: Did you suspect he would win a Vezina one day and be an NHL star?

“I knew he was a great goalie, like when we were playing together there. But, you know, like, it's hard. You could be a great player in Sweden and, like, you don't know what's going to happen in the NHL. But I always knew that he was an unbelievable goalie."

“I wouldn't say that I was surprised that it happened at all. But, I mean, he did an incredible job and I was happy for him when he did that. He had a tremendous year that year in Boston. But, I mean, you saw when you were younger that there was, like, incredible potential there. You just don't know what happens when you get to the NHL, right?”

Q: What would it mean for you guys to win this thing?

“It would be very special. A lot of fun. Too bad we couldn't bring it back home to Sweden and have a nice party with it. But that might be in the summertime.”

Q: What's it mean to you to wear a letter or be a part of a leadership group for this team? What sort of leader are you? Like, how would you describe your leadership style?

“Yeah, obviously, very special and, I mean, a lot of fun. I just think I am the way that I am and try to lead on the ice and talk a little bit in the locker room but just be myself.”

Q: You mentioned the pressure with the MVP. Do you feel bad? Do you feel pressure at all?

“I don't know. I'm just, to be honest, very excited to get out there and play tomorrow. I just look at this as a super fun opportunity.”

Q: I know you don't wear a letter in Toronto but it feels like your leadership role has grown over the years there. How have you kind of developed in that part of the game, do you think, over the years?

“I think it's developed for sure. Just talking when you're younger, you don't really say so much in the locker room and, you know, kind of adding some stuff here and there.”

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Q: Have you talked to your dad at all before this? Just about it or what to expect or anything like that? Is he here?

“Oh yeah, we talked but we haven't talked about this. Like, just whatever we talk about. Yeah, he's here.”

Q: Does putting on a sweater do anything? Do you feel any different? Like, obviously, you put the Leafs sweater on all the time. But when you put on the three crowns there, what does it feel like? Does it feel any different when you step out there in that jersey?

“I think it's similar to the feeling when you put on the Leafs jersey. I mean, what an honor it is to play for your country. And I mean, the Leafs, and just proud to represent them and put your best foot forward.”

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