Getting to Know the Newest Maple Leaf Alex Nylander – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made it official; they signed Alex Nylander. Now he will have the opportunity to play with his brother, William Nylander, at the NHL level. The move comes after they announced that Matthew Knies has been placed on IR for a hit he took during a Vegas Golden Knights game on November 20, 2024.

Nylander had a great start with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). In 14 games, he had eight goals and four assists for 12 points. After such a strong start to the season, it was no surprise that he was finally signed to an NHL contract and called up to the NHL. His new contract has an average annual value (AAV) of $775,000 and will expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Nylander's Early Career Struggles

It's no secret that Nylander has struggled in the NHL so far in his career. He was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabers in the 2016 NHL Draft, with the eighth pick, which was just seven picks behind Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Unfortunately, it did not go as advertised. Over three seasons with the Sabres, he played in just 19 games and recorded six points. In 2019, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, where his father, Michael Nylander, played. During his time with the Blackhawks, he played a career high in 65 games and had a career high in points with 26.

After his best season in his first career, he spent parts of the next three seasons in the AHL. In 2022, he faced the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he was looking to reset his career. Sadly, that didn't happen; he has only appeared in 14 games over two seasons and has recorded two points. Midway through the 2023-24 season, he was traded again to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and similar to his time with the Blackhawks, he got off to a hot start. In 23 games with the Blue Jackets, he scored 15 points, which should have been enough to earn him a new contract.

Related: Maple Leafs Place Matthew Knies on injured reserve

However, he was left ineligible and explored the free agent market, where he decided to sign an AHL deal with the Marlies to be closer to his brother. So far in his career, he has played 121 NHL games in six seasons and scored 25 goals and 24 assists for 49 points. It is known that he will not be given a permanent spot on the Maple Leafs roster, but with all the injuries piling up ahead, he will be given a chance to show that he has what it takes to be in the NHL. player and his first draft pick.

It looks like Nylander will suit up for the Maple Leafs on Sunday, Nov 24, against the Utah Hockey Club for his debut with his new team. The question every member of Leafs Nation wants answered is whether Alex and William will start on the line together or at some point in the game share the ice. It seems the hockey gods will finally make it happen; if it doesn't happen early in the game, head coach Craig Berube will likely make it happen at some point in the game.