Heading into the 2023 training camp, it seemed almost certain that Alex Nylander would find a role in the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup.
After an impressive, albeit brief, showing with the Penguins in 2022-23, Nylander seemed like a shoe-in to either take the spot of Jake Guentzel to start the season, or fill in as an offensive threat in the bottom six.
As it turned out, however, Nylander let a hot start to camp and the preseason go cold; not long after, he found himself on the waiver wire and heading for the AHL.
The Penguins are honestly lucky no one claimed Nylander off of waivers, giving them flexibility in his movement, but he his certainly no stranger to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, or the trek across the state.
According to Penguins president and general manager Kyle Dubas, Nylander just took too many steps backwards after a promising opening to camp.
“I thought that first exhibition game against Columbus he was outstanding,” Dubas said. “In the subsequent games and practices he dipped a little bit.”
Over the course of camp, it was clear that Nylander was being overshadowed by other surprises like Radim Zohorna or late newcomer Jansen Harkins.
The latter of those two names ended up taking the third line wing spot that Nylander had a firm grasp on to start camp.
No one in the organization believes Nylander is a bad player, just in need of a little extra push from himself.
“He has the talent,” Dubas said. “It’s just continuing to execute on it every single day.”
Even if Nylander is starting the season at the AHL level again, the Penguins expect him to finish the year as a full-time NHLer.
“I would be shocked if by the end of the year he hasn’t established himself as a full-time NHL guy,” Dubas said. “And that’s my expectation of him.”
Before being called to the NHL last season, Nylander was the WBS Penguins leading scorer with 50 points.
Until he gets that call again, it’s a safe bet to think Nylander will once again look to lead the team in any way he can.
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