Prospect Info: Alex Nylander (2016, 8th) – '17-18: Rochester #92 (AHL)

[Yultron]

Awesome to see Nylander doing well in the AHL. It still doesn't mean a lot but it was also ridiculous that people started getting low on him at his age.

I would hope Buffalo keeps him down for at minimum the first half of the season and let him build some real confidence at the pro level. Honestly, I wouldn't bring him up unless Mitts establishes himself as Nylander is going to need a good center to flourish. I don't think it would be a good idea to put him on Eichels line and subject Nylander to top shutdown units at this stage. Unless you can bring up Nylander into a reasonably productive situation, I think this season he would be best served in the AHL.

I know Buffalo fans are ready to turn the corner, but even if Buffalo sustains this success deeper into the season, there is no reason to rush these kids. You got to do whats absolutely best for the player right now as that is what is best for the team going forward.

I don’t know if he needs the entire first half. I think 20-30 games will be plenty for Nylander and if he stays at a point per game he will be fine. Like you mentioned and your right he needs a center too play with since he is that natural sniper like his brother but has come a long way with his two game play. But if we want him too be a 50+ point player year in and year out he will need too play with someone like Middlestadt or Eichel consistently. The good thing is he is proving he can be a point per game and consistent player in the AHL and if he can keep it up until Christmas he won’t need too stay in the AHL any longer

 

[dkollidas]

Does anyone know if he stayed in Rochester again if his contracts would slide AGAIN? I wouldn’t think so but was just curious.

But having a 20yr old, top-10 Pick with 3yrs left on his ELC is a nice bonus. Especially with another expansion draft looming, I’d assume it’s one less guy we’d have to protect.

 

[Jim Bob]

Does anyone know if he stayed in Rochester again if his contracts would slide AGAIN? I wouldn’t think so but was just curious.

But having a 20yr old, top-10 Pick with 3yrs left on his ELC is a nice bonus. Especially with another expansion draft looming, I’d assume it’s one less guy we’d have to protect.

Nope

Pekar and UPL are the only players who have signed contracts that are eligible to slide.

 

[DJN21]

Nope

Pekar and UPL are the only players who have signed contracts that are eligible to slide.

We might have some cappy choices cone expansion this time around...

 

[HaNotsri]

Does anyone know if he stayed in Rochester again if his contracts would slide AGAIN? I wouldn’t think so but was just curious.

But having a 20yr old, top-10 Pick with 3yrs left on his ELC is a nice bonus. Especially with another expansion draft looming, I’d assume it’s one less guy we’d have to protect.

ELC contracts are exempt and he should have one year left in 2020.

 

[ZEBROA]

How is he doin? I want him to do great so he gets put on the Swedish team with his brother.

 

[ZEBROA]

I take the silence as "not good at all". Thats sad. I had high hopes on you! You brother to the most hated Leaf of the season...

 

[Gabrielor]

Not at all.

14 points in 17 games so far this year.
Arguably the 4th best forward in the preseason for us.

Management is being patient in bringing him along, because our last dumbass gm rushed him into a league he wasn’t ready for. I think most fans in the know feel pretty good about Alex right now, and we’re waiting to see how this season plays out for him.

 

[Reddawg]

Definitely doing a whole lot better this season than the last two put together.

 

[Snippit]

I take the silence as "not good at all". Thats sad. I had high hopes on you! You brother to the most hated Leaf of the season...

It's more like most on here don't watch Rochester games.

The ones that do say he's playing much better. Production says that as well.

 

[allsilverdreams]

Does the AHL have games that are on TV like Sunday ticket or NBA pass?

 

[26CornerBlitz]

Does the AHL have games that are on TV like Sunday ticket or NBA pass?

https://www.watchtheahl.com/#/

 

[ZEBROA]

It's more like most on here don't watch Rochester games.

The ones that do say he's playing much better. Production says that as well.

Ok thanks , i hope to see him up with the big boys soon. But right now maby its best not to mess with whats working.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

What is Alex's ETA in the NHL? 17 points in 21 games. Sabres leave him down there where the Amerks are having success. Being around a successful team is a good environment while being one of the team's leading producers is never a bad thing. But realistically, a farm team is supposed to supply the parent team with NHL ready talent. Interesting to see if Buffalo makes room for him if he is ready, or he spends the year in Rochester.

 

[Chainshot]

What is Alex's ETA in the NHL? 17 points in 21 games. Sabres leave him down there where the Amerks are having success. Being around a successful team is a good environment while being one of the team's leading producers is never a bad thing. But realistically, a farm team is supposed to supply the parent team with NHL ready talent. Interesting to see if Buffalo makes room for him if he is ready, or he spends the year in Rochester.

I'm curious as to that as well. They have a number of options for scoring line wingers now so there is less pressure there. Smith and perhaps Olofsson are in the mix. But his involvement/engagement are certainly better than before. It would be interesting to see if he had not been in Rochester for these last two years and was simply doing what he's doing this year as a first year player. I suspect the hype would be much stronger to get him in the lineup sooner rather than later.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I'm curious as to that as well. They have a number of options for scoring line wingers now so there is less pressure there. Smith and perhaps Olofsson are in the mix. But his involvement/engagement are certainly better than before. It would be interesting to see if he had not been in Rochester for these last two years and was simply doing what he's doing this year as a first year player. I suspect the hype would be much stronger to get him in the lineup sooner rather than later.

I sort of see the Kyle Connor development in Alex Nylander. I was high on both players in their respective draft years. Last year was a write off for Alex, he was hurt, and the Amerks were not very good. It's just too bad a year of development was wasted. This is almost like his first AHL year. I don't mind him getting a full year in the AHL, but if he is ready. The AHL is for supplying NHL talent to the Parent team. Alex has the talent, his preseason was good. His AHL year on paper looks good. I can see he and Mittlestadt developing into the Sabres future #2 line. Or 2 3rds of it. They had some chemistry in preseason. It took a freak injury to get Kyle Connor called up to the Jets last year, he never looked back. Hope it doesn't take this to call up Alex. He's definitely put his name back for discussion as one of the Sabres best prospects.

 

[sincerity0]

What is Alex's ETA in the NHL? 17 points in 21 games. Sabres leave him down there where the Amerks are having success. Being around a successful team is a good environment while being one of the team's leading producers is never a bad thing. But realistically, a farm team is supposed to supply the parent team with NHL ready talent. Interesting to see if Buffalo makes room for him if he is ready, or he spends the year in Rochester.

It’s really a numbers game at this point. There are limited players that are able to be sent down without clearing waivers. Admittedly I haven’t watched Amerks games but @LetsGoAmerks is my go to here. Given he’s finally healthy and the Amerks are good there shouldn’t need to Be a rush to call him up. Seems like a prime candidate as the first call up if needed at forward.

I’m all for “keep the prospects in the farm as long as possible”. The goal should be to get players like Nylander (offensively focused) to dominate the AHL (or other lower levels) so they can step in and contribute offensively right away. IMO Nylander is the type of player that if he’s not generating consistent offense he’s going to disappear and be of negative value. I’m not sure a players development was ever hurt by spending an extra few months in the AHL.

Best case scenario is he continues to produce, earns an injury call up, and never looks back. That’s what we hoped for with Pilut too.

 

[MayDay]

I'm really hoping that Nylander makes it sooner or later, but I have to wonder if Olafsson isn't ahead of him in line to be called up.

Olafsson is nearly three years older, has been developing in the Sabres system longer, and as a goal-scorer he could really address some of the current needs on the Sabres roster (scoring on the PP and on 2nd-3rd lines).

Of the two wingers, I think I'd rather call Olafsson up sooner and let Alex percolate longer in Rochester, where I think he would derive a greater benefit.

 

[Aavvaa]

I imagine Smith is probably ahead of him too, he's older and plays a game that's more suited to the Sabres bottom 6.

Nylander probably only gets a call if a top 6 forward is out for a few weeks or more

 

[Reddawg]

I imagine Smith is probably ahead of him too, he's older and plays a game that's more suited to the Sabres bottom 6.

Nylander probably only gets a call if a top 6 forward is out for a few weeks or more

Maybe not even then, Sheary was out over a week and the team shifted TT into his role.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

I'm curious as to that as well. They have a number of options for scoring line wingers now so there is less pressure there. Smith and perhaps Olofsson are in the mix. But his involvement/engagement are certainly better than before. It would be interesting to see if he had not been in Rochester for these last two years and was simply doing what he's doing this year as a first year player. I suspect the hype would be much stronger to get him in the lineup sooner rather than later.

Botterill really doesn't like bring up the kids, however we really need some creativity on the wing. Outside of Skinner, Okposo and Reinhart we definitely could use a jolt of secondary scoring. I think part of the problem, is where do you play him. Our need right now for me is also an upgrade at C in the third spot primarily. We're not getting enough out of Larsson, Berglund, Sobotka offensively. While I like their secondary abilities, we do need some oomph coming out of the bottom six.

 

[Reddawg]

Larsson and Sobotka don’t have any offense to speak of to begin with, and Berglund is having a horrible time hitting the net. He gets good opportunities but misses wide or shoots it right into the goalie’s pads.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Botterill really doesn't like bring up the kids, however we really need some creativity on the wing. Outside of Skinner, Okposo and Reinhart we definitely could use a jolt of secondary scoring. I think part of the problem, is where do you play him. Our need right now for me is also an upgrade at C in the third spot primarily. We're not getting enough out of Larsson, Berglund, Sobotka offensively. While I like their secondary abilities, we do need some oomph coming out of the bottom six.

I can solve that. Alex Nylander played entirely on the Left Wing in his draft year. He was playing with McLeod and Bastian for the Steelheads. I got to see him often. He was the guy that made that line tick.

The beautiful thing about Nylander is he is quite capable of playing his off wing.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

I can solve that. Alex Nylander played entirely on the Left Wing in his draft year. He was playing with McLeod and Bastian for the Steelheads. I got to see him often. He was the guy that made that line tick.

The beautiful thing about Nylander is he is quite capable of playing his off wing.

Right, I guess you move Sheary down to the third line.

 

[Tsyolin]

just an FYI Nylander has looked fantastic in this Amerks game so far. Super aggressive on the forecheck and created at least 2 or 3 legitimate scoring chances.