3 reasons why Alex Nylander should not have signed with AHL's Toronto Marlies

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Jul 29, 2024 02:49 GMT

The Toronto Maple Leafs, via their AHL affiliate the Marlies, have signed Alex Nylander, brother of team star William Nylander, to an AHL contract, The Hockey News reported. While financial details were not disclosed, the minor-league deal would likely come with an invitation to the big club’s training camp this fall.

While the deal seems like a low-risk, high-reward proposition, three reasons stand out as to why the Toronto Maple Leafs should not have signed Alex Nylander to their AHL

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Three reasons why Alex Nylander should not have signed with AHL's Toronto Marlies

#3 Nylander is a first-round bust

The Buffalo Sabres picked Alex Nylander eighth overall in 2016. He seemed like a good selection for Buffalo, as Alex would likely follow in his big brothers’ footsteps, but that never materialized.

Nylander played 19 games in Buffalo before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. His best year to date came in Chicago, where he played 65 games, registering 26 points.

However, the Blackhawks flipped Nylander to Pittsburgh and then to Columbus. Overall, he played 121 NHL games, totaling 49 points. Those numbers qualify him as a first-round bust, making Nylander’s signing with the AHL Marlies a mistake.

#2 Nylander is unlikely to make the big club

Assuming Nylander gets an invite to the big club this fall, there's a slim chance he could make the team. While the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t have a wealth of forward depth, it’s unlikely the junior Nylander would leapfrog other players in the Leafs’ system.

At best, Nylander could be an emergency call-up at some point in the season. Unless he has an unbelievable camp, he will most likely spend the season in the AHL. There’s always a chance that the Leafs could call up Nylander to play alongside his brother for sentimental reasons.

#1 The Blue Jackets did not extend Nylander a qualifying offer

It’s relatively unusual for teams not to qualify their RFAs. In this case, the Columbus Blue Jackets simply let Alex Nylander walk.

This move signals that the Blue Jackets were uninterested in keeping Nylander, given his lack of production at the NHL level. In short, the Blue Jackets viewed him as expendable.

Thus, Leafs fans shouldn’t expect much from Nylander. While he might be a great player for the Marlies, it’s unlikely he will make any sort of impact at the NHL level. There’s always the possibility that a change of scenery and playing with his big brother may turn things around for Alex Nylander.

Nevertheless, this move appears to be nothing more than a small blip on the radar for a team that has Stanley Cup aspirations this upcoming season.