Although Alex Nylander received several offers from other NHL teams, he told reporters on Thursday that he felt joining the Toronto Marlies was the best spot to continue his career. He spoke to the media and talked about why he elected to take a tougher route to the NHL in favour of getting an easier, more guaranteed job elsewhere.
“It was best to go here, they really care about the development of players and they can make me a better player,” Nylander told media. “If I get the chance to get that NHL contract it will be really good for me.”
Alex Nylander says he had NHL offers elsewhere but decided to take an AHL deal in Toronto instead. Wants to earn an NHL deal here. And yes, he’s living with his brother.
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) September 19, 2024
“Obviously he was a big influence,” he said on how much his brother William played a factor in his decision. “My dad and my agent talked to me a lot over the summer, we thought this was the best option for me and my career, so we’re feeling really good and I’m really happy about it.”
Skating on a line with Easton Cowan and Jacob Quillan during the first group sessions of training camp, it is clear the Leafs will be keeping a close eye on his progress and likely feel he has a chance to join the Leafs at some point. That would be a smart bet for them to make because he showed flashes of fully realizing his potential towards the end of last season.
After struggling to find his footing with the Penguins, a mid-season trade to the Blue Jackets saw him earn more playing time and an uptick in production. Nylander recorded 15 points (11 goals and four assists) in 23 games played for Columbus, which included his first career hat trick against the then-reigning Stanley Cup Champions in the Golden Knights. His resurgence put the league on notice, including his older brother who was pumped to see Alex finally get some momentum on his side.
“I’m a super proud brother,” William said back in March. “He’s been battling his entire career and been given a really good chance to play and showing what he can do. I mean, super proud brother.”
Knowing how close the Nylander brothers are, it is not a shock to find out that Alex said on numerous occasions that it would be awesome to play alongside William on the Leafs if given the opportunity. The younger brother will be plenty motivated as apart from his strong finish to the year in Columbus, he also was one of the most productive scorers on a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins that finished in the bottom half of the AHL in goals for last year with 32 points (17 goals and 15 assists) in 43 games.
What will also help is the two will be living together in Toronto this season and thus having many occasions where they will drive into practice together. Alex admitted that it will take some getting used to having William part of his daily routine, but he is looking forward to it.
“It was a little weird going to practice together but we’re getting used to it, I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “It was a dream since we were younger to be in the NHL, and now that we have a chance to play together in the NHL, it’s huge and a dream come true if that happens. Gotta work really hard to get that.”
While it is unknown at the time of filing if and when Alex will get an NHL deal with the Leafs, one can’t deny he is plenty eager to show he is deserving of a chance to make a positive impact on a team with Cup aspirations. That fire in his belly will no doubt get Leafs fans excited about what he can bring and the possibility of him sharing a line with William. Alex won’t get too ahead of himself and is focused on the daily grind, but he is determined to show he can earn a spot in the best league in the world.
“I’m here to focus on my day by day, get better every day and show them I can be an NHL player and show them I like to compete and work hard,” he said. “I don’t want my skills to come off but I want to show them I can be a two-way player.”
His quest to secure an NHL deal begins on Sunday when the Leafs begin their preseason schedule with a tilt against the Senators.
