Alexander Nylander

Alexander Maximilian Michael Junior Nylander Altelius (born 2 March 1998) is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected eighth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 NHL entry draft. He is the brother of William Nylander. Like his brother, he was born in Canada while his father Michael played for the Calgary Flames, but represented Sweden internationally.

Playing career

Major junior

Nylander was selected 12th overall by the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) at the 2015 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft. On 5 September 2015, Nylander committed to the Steelheads with his father joining as assistant coach. His reasons for joining include being close to his brother William and having the chance to play the Canadian style of hockey.

In his only season with the Steelheads, Nylander led all rookies in scoring, and was awarded both the Emms Family Award as OHL Rookie of the Year and CHL Rookie of the Year.

Leading up to the NHL draft, Nylander was ranked the no. 3 North American skater. He was described as a dynamic offensive player with a great shot and playmaking ability.

Professional

Nylander was selected eighth overall by the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2016 NHL entry draft. On 15 July 2016, the Sabres signed Nylander to a three-year entry-level contract. Nylander was called up to the NHL for the first time on 3 April 2017, to play in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nylander played 14:28 minutes during the 4–2 loss. After playing four games in the NHL he was reassigned back to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans. The Sabres assigned Nylander to their AHL affiliate before finalizing their roster for the 2017–18 season. Nylander suffered a lower-body injury in mid-September during the Buffalo Sabres' first prospect game, causing him to miss the rest of the training camp and the beginning of the 2017–18 AHL season. He returned to the lineup on 17 November 2017, for a game against the Hartford Wolf Pack. Despite a slow start, Nylander was called up to the NHL on 3 April 2018. He recorded his first career NHL goal on 6 April 2018 in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After the Sabres failed to qualify for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Nylander was reassigned to the AHL.

On 9 July 2019, Nylander was traded by the Sabres to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for fellow first-rounder Henri Jokiharju and opted to wear sweater no. 92 with the club, the same number his father wore. Nylander appeared in 65 games during the condensed 2019–20 season for the Blackhawks, where he recorded 10 goals and 16 assists. Nylander appeared in eight postseason games for Chicago but failed to register a point. He injured his left knee in the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, and missed the entire 2020–21 season while recovering from surgery. Nylander re-signed with Chicago on a one-year contract worth $874,125 on 16 August 2021. Beginning the 2021–22 season on the injured reserve, Nylander missed the first half of the season.

On returning to health, Nylander was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, in exchange for Sam Lafferty on 5 January 2022. He split time between Pittsburgh and their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He signed a one-year contract extension on 29 April 2023 with Pittsburgh.

In the midst of the 2023–24 season, having split time between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Pittsburgh for the third successive season, Nylander was traded following five games with the Penguins, along with a conditional 2026 sixth round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Emil Bemström on 23 February 2024. Instantly joining the Blue Jackets, Nylander made his debut with Columbus in a 4–2 victory over the New York Rangers on 25 February 2024, and recorded his first NHL hat trick in a 6–3 win against the Vegas Golden Knights on 4 March 2024. In an elevated offensive role with the Blue Jackets, Nylander responded in notching a career best 11 goals through just 23 games to close out the season.

As a free agent from the Blue Jackets at the conclusion of his contract, Nylander was unable to secure an NHL deal and opted to sign a one-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, affiliate to the Toronto Maple Leafs on 28 July 2024. Nylander began the 2024–25 season, posting 8 goals and 12 points in 14 appearances with the Marlies. With the Maple Leafs suffering a spate of injuries, he was signed to a one-year league minimum contract and instantly recalled to the Maple Leafs on 22 November. Nylander was assigned to the Toronto Marlies after he cleared waivers on 12 December.

International play

Despite being born in Canada, like his brother, Nylander represents Sweden internationally.

At the 2016 World Junior Championships, Nylander led the Sweden junior team in points with four goals and five assists. Sweden finished fourth in the tournament. Nylander was also chosen to represent Sweden at the 2018 World Junior Championships. In the tournament Nylander recorded one goal and six assists in seven games, while Sweden won silver medals.

Personal life

Alexander was born in Calgary while his father, Michael, played for the Calgary Flames.
He spent the majority of his youth in the United States where his father played for a multitude of NHL teams, and spending the summers in Sweden.

His older brother, William also plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was also drafted 8th overall, 2 years earlier.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nylander, Alexander
1998 births
Living people
AIK IF players
Buffalo Sabres draft picks
Buffalo Sabres players
Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Canadian ice hockey right wingers
Canadian people of Swedish descent
Chicago Blackhawks players
Columbus Blue Jackets players
Mississauga Steelheads players
NHL first-round draft picks
Pittsburgh Penguins players
Rochester Americans players
Rockford IceHogs (AHL) players
Ice hockey people from Calgary
Ice hockey people from Stockholm
Swedish expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Swedish ice hockey right wingers
Toronto Maple Leafs players
Toronto Marlies players
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins players