Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Alex Nylander says it would be a ‘dream come true’ to play alongside his brother William
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

The announcement that the Marlies had inked Alex Nylander to a one-year AHL contract excited many Leafs fans at the prospect of him potentially playing alongside his older brother, William.

After all, Alex was fresh off a strong finish to the 2023-24 season and has a clear path to earning an NHL deal if he makes a strong impression with the Marlies to start the upcoming campaign. Combine that with the Leafs’ overall lack of secondary scoring and the need for some additional depth on the left wing and there is potential for this to be a great fit for both parties.

Of course, he will have to earn it and has nothing handed to him right away but it is certainly there for the taking if he wants it. As his journey back to the NHL begins, Alex spoke with the Toronto Sun’s Lance Hornby about his excitement about the prospects of cracking the Leafs roster and lining up alongside William.

“To be with him on the Leafs would be amazing, a dream come true,” Alex said. “I’ve watched him and the Leafs play a lot over the years and know a lot of what they do.”

Nylander’s career to this point has been tumultuous, to say the least. His development has never been a streamlined process due to him bouncing between the AHL and NHL numerous times after turning pro. The most significant setback was a left knee injury he suffered during the 2020 Playoffs that required him to get surgery to repair a meniscus tear. This resulted in him missing out on the entire 2021 COVID-shortened campaign and it took him nearly three years to make it back to the NHL. It’s one of many hurdles that Nylander has had to face throughout his career since being selected eighth overall by the Sabres in 2016, having already played for seven different teams before signing with the Marlies.

Now he is hoping that his latest appointment will be the ticket to revitalizing his career and ensuring his stay in the best league in the world is longer than just a cup of coffee. It is through those challenges that his mindset has evolved into understanding what he needs to do to finally maintain some stability in the NHL.

“I can bring the scoring, but I want to be more consistent day in, day out, move my feet more,” he said. “Keep those offensive instincts, but be a better two-way player.”

This won’t be Alex’s first foray into the Toronto market as he spent his draft year with the Mississauga Steelheads. Being near his brother and dad (who was also an assistant coach of the Steelheads) during that season helped propel him to the team lead in scoring.

That family connection also played a role in him securing a contract with the Marlies. Having his dad and brother help vouch for him to earn an opportunity in Toronto was certainly beneficial, but Alex knows he still has to prove himself if he wants to make it back to the NHL.

“We all had a lot of talk before free agency,” Alex said. “(Michael and William) were both in the conversation and Leafs management was really good. We all thought it would be the best to get the (AHL) contract, turn that around, build on last year. It was important I’d shown with the Blue Jackets what I can really do and strive to get even better.”

There will be many fans rooting for Nylander to finally get the stability he is looking for because he certainly has the talent to be an NHL player. He showed flashes of the potential that has yet to be fully realized during his brief stint with the Blue Jackets at the end of the last season but it was not enough to secure him a qualifying offer from Columbus.

Now that he has an AHL deal signed, Nylander is hungry and eager to reward Brad Treliving and company for entrusting faith in him to get is career back on track.

“When that time comes, I’ll have to prove myself,” he said. “The injury and all that is in the past. I’m more determined than ever. I’m ready for this.”

This article first appeared on TheLeafsnation and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

Rangers sign veteran winger to PTO
NHL

Rangers sign veteran winger to PTO

In an effort to extend his NHL career, veteran winger Conor Sheary has agreed to a professional tryout (PTO) with the New York Rangers, per the NY Post’s Mollie Walker. Sheary has played in 593 games throughout his 10-year career, posting 124 goals and 267 points. He has also shown an ability to elevate his game in big moments during the playoffs, as evidenced by his contributions to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cup wins early in his career, when he often played a key role alongside Sidney Crosby. Notably, some of his best professional seasons came in Pittsburgh under head coach Mike Sullivan. After signing a five-year deal in May to lead the Rangers, Sullivan is bringing in a familiar face as he looks to implement a new game plan in New York. However, Sheary has struggled in recent years. After producing just 15 points in 57 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2023-24 season—his lowest output since his rookie year—he dressed in only five games last season with the team. He spent the majority of his year with Tampa’s AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, where he produced 20 goals and 61 points in 59 games. Sheary, 33, will now look to rejuvenate his career with the Rangers, a team in the midst of transition. Beyond the obvious changes that come with a new head coach, the team has also seen longtime staples Chris Kreider and K’Andre Miller depart, while adding forward Taylor Raddysh and prospect Carey Terrance. While PTOs are anything but guaranteed, Sheary’s history of producing quality offense, combined with his relationship with Sullivan, should give him a strong chance to make the opening night roster.

Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
NFL

Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.

New report suggests Christian Wilkins release related to 'incident' with teammate
NFL

New report suggests Christian Wilkins release related to 'incident' with teammate

There may be more to Christian Wilkins’ recent surprise release from the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL reporter Josina Anderson reported Saturday that "some sources believe an incident involving a teammate may have factored in-part into the Raiders' fatigue and release" of Wilkins. The nature of the incident is not clear. However, many believe the Raiders had a very good reason to move on from Wilkins considering the money they had invested in him. It also suggests the Raiders saw no alternative if they went straight to a release. Wilkins was dumped by the Raiders just one year into a four-year, $110 million deal. The Raiders suggested Wilkins failed to take rehab seriously as he tries to work his way back from a foot injury. Other teams do not appear to have the same concerns about Wilkins as the Raiders did, and he should find a new landing spot fairly easily. That is one of the reasons some suspect there is more to the Raiders’ decision than they are publicly saying.

Yankees manager provides major update on Aaron Judge's injury
MLB

Yankees manager provides major update on Aaron Judge's injury

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge missed Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies with an elbow injury, and the slugger is now headed to the injured list. The Yankees fell 9-4 to the Phillies on Saturday at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., which marked their third consecutive loss. Judge played in Friday night's 12-5 loss to Philadelphia, but Aaron Boone announced before Saturday's game that Judge was dealing with an "elbow issue" and would sit out. Following his team's latest loss, Boone shared some new information about Judge's injury. Judge has been diagnosed with a flexor strain, but the Yankees believe he can return in less than two weeks. When Judge returns to the lineup, Boone said it will initially be as a designated hitter. Judge is having an outstanding season. He entered Saturday batting .342, which is the best mark in baseball. The reigning American League MVP has 37 home runs, 85 RBI and a 1.160 OPS. The Yankees are now six games behind the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays and fighting to remain atop the wild-card race. It goes without saying that they are hopeful Judge will be able to return as soon as possible.