DONE DEAL- Toronto Marlies sign Alex Nylander to one-year, AHL contract
As if Toronto fans hadn’t already had enough to discuss with one Nylander, now they have the opportunity to talk about two.
On Sunday, the Toronto Marlies, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced that they have signed forward Alex Nylander to a one-year AHL contract. The move adds another chapter to the Nylander family’s hockey legacy in Toronto, promising exciting developments for both the Marlies and the Maple Leafs.
“News | We’ve signed forward Alex Nylander to a one-year AHL contract. #LongLive”
Alex Nylander, the younger brother of Maple Leafs star William Nylander, has had a professional career characterized by frequent transitions between the AHL and NHL. Since being selected in the first round, eighth overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 NHL Draft, Nylander has shown flashes of his scoring potential but has struggled to consistently secure a spot in the NHL.
Nylander’s journey through the NHL began with the Buffalo Sabres, where he played sporadically over several seasons. His most notable NHL stint came with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2019-20 season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that season, Nylander played in 65 games, setting career highs with 10 goals, 16 assists, and 26 points. His performance hinted at his potential to be an effective scorer at the NHL level, but consistency remained elusive.
After spending more than two years with the Blackhawks, Nylander was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in January 2022. Despite the fresh start, his time with the Penguins was limited. Over the next two seasons, he appeared in just 14 games for Pittsburgh, recording a goal and an assist during the 2022-23 season. Most of his playing time came with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he played 43 games.
In February of this past season, Nylander found himself on the move again. He was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets along with a 2026 draft pick in exchange for forward Emil Bemstrom. With the Blue Jackets, Nylander played 23 games, demonstrating his offensive skills with 11 goals and 4 assists. Despite his efforts, he could not secure a permanent spot on the NHL roster.
Throughout his NHL career, Nylander has appeared in 121 games, scoring 25 goals and providing 24 assists. His playoff experience includes playing in all eight of the Blackhawks’ postseason games during the 2020 playoffs. In the AHL, Nylander has been more prolific, making 330 appearances and tallying 94 goals and 116 assists. His contributions in the Calder Cup Playoffs include six points in nine games.
In addition to his North American professional career, Alex Nylander has significant international experience representing Sweden. The former Mississauga Steelhead has been a mainstay for Tre Kronor in various competitions. He participated in the 2017 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge, where Sweden won bronze, and was part of the Swedish teams that secured silver medals at the 2015 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Nylander’s signing with the Toronto Marlies brings not only a skilled forward to their lineup but also adds a layer of excitement for the fans. The possibility of seeing both Nylander brothers in action, even if it’s on different teams within the same organization, is a tantalizing prospect for Toronto hockey enthusiasts.
Alex Nylander’s journey is a testament to his perseverance and determination. Despite the challenges and frequent moves, he has continued to work on his game, hoping to unlock his full potential and establish himself as a regular NHL player. His time with the Marlies could provide him with the stability and development environment he needs to take the next step in his career.
Toronto fans will be eagerly watching to see how Alex Nylander performs in the upcoming season. His progress with the Marlies could eventually lead to opportunities with the Maple Leafs, potentially reuniting the Nylander brothers on the same NHL team. For now, Alex Nylander’s presence in Toronto adds another intriguing storyline to the city’s rich hockey narrative, promising excitement and anticipation for the fans.
