Craig Berube's Decision Regarding the Nylander Brothers an Unpopular One Amongst Leafs' Fanbase
Alex Nylander took to the ice Saturday for his first practice with the Leafs alongside his brother William Nylander, but it appears they won't be lining up together.
In a Friday afternoon shocker, Alex Nylander signed a 1-year deal with the Leafs worth $775K and was immediately recalled by the team due to a number of injuries.
Joining the Leafs for practice on Saturday ahead of his expected debut on Sunday against the Utah Hockey Club, Alex Nylander dawned a blue practice jersey while his brother dawned his usual top-six, white practice jersey.
The different jersey colours suggest that head coach Craig Berube won't be playing into the fan fare of putting the brothers together on the same line for Sunday's game - at least to begin.
The younger Nylander brother took a risk signing an AHL deal with the Marlies during the off-season, despite receiving legitimate NHL offers, in the hopes of being able to play NHL games with his brother one day. That dream appears set to come to fruition on Sunday despite being on different lines.
After being placed on waivers and claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, Nylander showed signs of life, tallying 11 goals and 15 points in just 23 games. It was the most productive stint of his NHL career and set a new career-high in goals.
The former first-round pick has struggled to find a permanent home since being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2016, spending most of his time in the AHL where he has tallied 222 points in 344 regular season games.
In 121 career NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets, Nylander has registered 25 goals and 49 points.
