What’s better than one Nylander in Toronto? Two Nylanders.
William has established himself on the Leafs’ main roster as an NHL All-Star and the 2017 IIHF World Championship MVP, coming out to the passion of Toronto’s faithful at Scotiabank Arena.
Alexander, the younger brother, now plays a 15-minute car drive away at Coca-Cola Coliseum, for the Marlies.
The 26-year-old agreed to a one-season contract with the Leafs’ AHL-affiliate on July 28, which, however, wasn’t due to a lack of interest from NHL teams, but he wanted to be part the Toronto club’s development process.
Sure enough, even though Nylander is on an AHL deal at the moment, a solid performance with the Marlies could be a ticket back to the big league.
“Obviously, I’m going to do what I can to play my best and get better every day here so, and if that opportunity comes, I want to take opportunity,” Nylander said in a media scrum after practice on Thursday, at Ford Centre practice facility.
“If I get that contract, you know when that comes, whenever that may be and just try to stay ready and you know play the best as I can down here, develop my game, play better in all the areas, be confident and you know if that happens, I’ll be ready.”
In 121 career NHL games, the Swede has registered 49 points (25 goals, 24 assists) between Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Columbus.
During his run last season, he split his time with the Penguins and Blue Jackets. After failing to register a point in five games for the Penguins, Nylander went to Columbus and recorded 11 goals and four assists in 23 games.
This was a rising-like-a Phoenix type of performance as he had suffered a left-knee injury during the 2020 Playoffs while playing for the Blackhawks, that required surgery to repair a meniscus tear. He was sidelined from the NHL for nearly three years.
In a surprise move, the Blue Jackets did not extend Nylander, making him an unrestricted free agent.
And that’s where Toronto came in.
Playing in the Leafs’ organization also gives Nylander the opportunity to fulfill another dream: playing alongside his older brother, William.
It was in fact William and their father, Michael, who was an assistant coach of the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads, who helped influence the decision by keeping in contact with Alex’s agent throughout the summer
With family nearby, Nylander is more inspired to put a mostly-downward career back on track.
“Yeah of course it helps a lot being with my brother, being here, you know obviously it’s such a motivation of course,” Nylander said. “It’s amazing to play against each other and with each other as well so, you know, we keep motivating each other.”
