Craig Berube Promotes Fringe Forward with Opportunity to Prove His Value to the Leafs

In a surprising move coach Craig Berube has put Alexander Nylander on the top power play unit for the Leafs.

Nylander, the younger brother of Toronto star forward William, was recently recalled from the Toronto Marlies and signed an NHL deal a few days ago due to multiple injuries in the Leafs lineup, including captain Auston Matthews.

This comes as a big step for Nylander, who just days earlier was without an NHL deal and has spent the past few years being viewed as a player struggling to live up to his draft position.

The younger Nylander has struggled to meet expectations in the NHL. A highly touted youngster in the Swedish junior system just like elder brother William, it wasn't the same seamless transition to the pros for Alex.

Nylander moved quickly in his time in North America. He came to the Ontario Hockey League as a 17-year-old with the Mississauga Steelheads, scoring 75 points in 57 games played for the team, as well as being Sweden's point leader in the 2016 World Juniors with 9, despite being a draft eligible.

Alex was drafted 8th by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, 2 years after his older brother went to the Leafs at the same spot.

Alex quickly got moved to the AHL, where he netted only 10 goals and 28 points for Rochester, and appearing in four scoreless game for Buffalo. Largely playing in the AHL, Nylander only played 122 games in the NHL across six seasons for four teams, the Leafs being his fifth.

In his NHL career, Nylander has 25 goals and 49 points in 122 games, and had a very solid stint with Columbus last season, scoring 11 goals in only 23 games.

It does appear that the chemistry between the two brothers has been effective for the Leafs together. Stats show that Toronto produces a dominant performance with both Nylander's on the ice. This includes a higher number of shot attempts that shows how much offense the Maple Leaks have created with those two together on one line.

It's only been one game so far for the related duo, but it's a game that showcased positive results, and Craig Berube's chance to Nylander shows a willingness to give him a real responsibility to prove he can finally be the player he was projected years back.

In closing, Alex Nylander is being given a chance to play on the Maple Leafs' top powerplay unit in the hopes he can break out and add some offense. He's definitely capable, and perhaps playing alongside his brother is the key to success.