You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more heart-warming Toronto Maple Leafs signing this season than Alex Nylander’s one-year pact he inked last week.
Getting the chance to play with his older brother, William? Heck yeah. That’s fun for everyone. Alex played his junior hockey in nearby Mississauga and even made his NHL debut against the Leafs back in 2017. Sure, he hasn’t had the success or shown the same skill as William, but Alex was a first-round pick himself back in 2016. At one point, Nylander was one of the better winger prospects in the NHL.
But eight years into his career, Nylander just hasn’t made it work. Since making his debut, Nylander has played in more than 50 NHL games just once – he had 26 points in 65 games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019-20. When COVID-19 impacted the 2020-21 season, he spent the year on the team’s taxi squad and never played. Nylander wouldn’t find his way back to the NHL until he ended up in Pittsburgh in 2022-23, where he had just two points in nine games.
It was surprising to see a player who finished 2023-24 on such a hot streak – 15 points in 23 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets – not sign an NHL deal over the summer. Nylander primarily played last year in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but had shown enough on the scoresheet to close out the year to suggest that another NHL deal was coming his way.
When he signed with the Toronto Marlies, there was a sense that it was about Toronto having some time to figure out the salary cap and keep a contract slot open if needed. But with 12 points in 14 games with the Marlies, Nylander proved he was ready to challenge for a Leafs’ roster spot again – especially with the influx of injuries.
Nylander got his big break, making his Maple Leafs debut alongside his brother on Sunday night against Utah. Skating alongside Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin – two players he worked with on the Marlies just a week ago – you could see a bit of decent chemistry. Nylander led all Leafs players in shots in the first period of his debut performance with two. Neither was particularly dangerous, but he only played 4:51. They also put him on the second power-play unit at one point, but there was nothing to show for it.
good play from Alex Nylander pic.twitter.com/uTq0GLC7GS
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) November 25, 2024
Ultimately, Nylander failed to register a point in the low-event affair. But on a team decimated by injuries to key players, the Leafs needed someone who could give a bit of a boost deeper in the lineup. Mission accomplished? Not exactly, but he didn’t look bad, either. And with all due respect to Minten and Grebenkin, that’s not exactly a group that will make things happen at this stage in either of their careers.
What we saw from Nylander in Game 1 was the same thing we’ve seen throughout much of his 121 previous games – he’s shifty, creative and is willing to shoot from anywhere. Of all the Leafs’ wingers in the system, Nylander is one of the better ones at creating opportunities for himself along the boards. In open space, Nylander’s shot can be deadly.
But we also saw some of the same downsides, too. He’s never been a great skater, dating back to his days with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads. It seems to take an extra 3-4 strides for him to hit his speed compared to the two primary players he skated alongside – Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin.
Nylander is also not particularly strong and can be found watching the puck when he should be chasing after it. A lack of effort has been a problem for Nylander ever since he turned pro, and hasn’t seemed to change eight years into his career. He’s always someone who thrives when he’s got a finisher to work with – it would have been cool to see him play with his brother for a few shifts, especially in a game in which he scored twice.
” (Alex) might be the most skilled AAAA player in the NHL,” one NHL scout said. “But there’s a reason he’s never a full-timer. The shift-to-shift consistency and effort isn’t there.”
It’s unrealistic to expect all 12 forwards in any given lineup to be 200-foot threats. It’s not like William Nylander is known for his superb defensive work. But for a fringe NHLer who doesn’t do a lot if they’re not putting up points, it can be difficult. Just ask Alex Steeves.
In short: Nylander has some real skill. That’s never been an issue, and there were a few solid plays last night, too. But once the team gets back to being fully healthy, Nylander will head back to the Marlies and await his next call-up. That can be within the next few days, too, so maybe Sunday was just a one-off. But in a season where injuries have already wreaked havoc – especially on the wing – having another player with NHL experience motivated and ready to go isn’t a bad thing.
