On July 22nd, William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs set social media abuzz with an Instagram story featuring his younger brother Alex Nylander.
The video highlighted Alex's impressive gym performance, showcasing his strength and training prowess.
The Nylander brothers usually spend most of their off-season together. However, this year, Alex is without an NHL contract, and the Maple Leafs are in need of additional scoring depth.
Immediately following the post, fans began speculating and advocating for the Maple Leafs to sign Alex Nylander for the upcoming season.
Hockey reporter Josh Wegman from The Score weighed in on Alex Nylander's market value.
«It was somewhat unexpected that the Columbus Blue Jackets didn't offer Nylander a qualifying offer of $814,000, especially considering his strong performance toward the end of the 2023�24 season.» Wegman noted
He added,
"Nylander will likely only garner a one-year deal for under $1 million. That's great news for the Maple Leafs, who are nearly capped out but could use further competition for a middle-six winger spot. The potential to play on a line with his brother, William, is intriguing for all parties involved."
If Wegman's prediction holds true, the Maple Leafs should be able to accommodate the former eighth overall pick within their salary cap constraints. With $1.2 million in available cap space, and pending any further moves to clear room, signing Nylander might be a strategic addition.
Last season, the 26-year-old Nylander scored 11 goals and added four assists in 23 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets.