The Toronto Marlies want more out of Alex Nylander.
Entering Wednesday’s game against the Syracuse Crunch, the 26-year-old had 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 37 games. That, however, changed quickly in game 38 as Nylander set up Mikko Kokkonen nicely for the defenseman’s third goal of the season.
Nylander’s 14th assist was his 30th point of the season, putting him second in team scoring behind Alex Steeves, who has 26 goals and 15 assists in 37 games. The forward was upgraded from a one-year AHL contract to an NHL deal on Nov. 22.
He played five games with the Maple Leafs, from Nov. 24 to Dec. 7, and didn’t register a point while averaging 9:53 of ice time. Nylander has played 24 games since returning to the Marlies, scoring 18 points—eight goals and 10 assists—in that span.
Nylander was very involved in the game on Wednesday against the Syracuse Crunch, with his efforts earning him the Marlies’ belt following the 5-4 overtime win.
“I thought Nylander probably played his best game as a Marlie,” Marlies head coach John Gruden said on Wednesday.
“He was moving his feet, he was playing in straight lines, he was engaged playing inside. It’s a good sign for him. It was good to see him do that.”
Nylander has been fairly consistent at the AHL level despite not averaging a point per game. His longest stretch without a point this season is three games, which has happened twice with the Marlies.
At times, his play dips. But Wednesday’s overtime win against Syracuse was a prime example of what Nylander can do when he’s on his game.
“We’d like to see that happen a little more often,” Gruden said, “but you can see when he’s doing those little things and those details, how much more dangerous he is and how much more often he has the puck on his stick.”
After going from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, Nylander scored 11 goals in 23 NHL games. That’s the level he’s attempting to return to while in the AHL with the Marlies.
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