PITTSBURGH – In 14 games over the past two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Alex Nylander struggled to find any consistency. From finding the score sheet to sticking in the lineup on a regular basis, Nylander never really fit with the Penguins.
President and general manager Kyle Dubas had high hopes for Nylander during the 2023-24 season, saying he could be a full-time NHLer, but he managed only five games with no points. While leading the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in scoring, Dubas dealt Nylander to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Emil Bemstrom.
Rather than start him out in their AHL system, the Blue Jackets inserted Nylander into their NHL roster. Playing alongside Cole Sillinger and Alexandre Texier, Nylander has found a whole new rhythm.
In his first four games with the Blue Jackets, Nylander scored a goal and two assists, already outpacing his performance in nine games during the 2022-23 season. The Blue Jackets most recent matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights proved what he may still be able to do in the NHL.
The Blue Jackets were powered to a 6-3 win over the Golden Knights thanks to Nylander's first career hat trick.
In just his five games with the Blue Jackets, Nylander has shown more offensive prowess than he did during his two seasons with the Penguins. He beat Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill twice, then sealed his hat trick with an empty netter in the dying minutes.
The Penguins will quickly learn what Nylander has to offer with Columbus as he and the Blue Jackets visit Pittsburgh immediately following their contest against the Golden Knights.
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