Alex Nylander Had NHL Offers But Chose AHL Deal with Marlies Because of Maple Leafs' Development Options, To Potentially Play with Brother William

Alex played 23 NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, scoring 11 goals and four assists.

Wearing a blue jersey with the No. 92, Alex Nylander looked prepared to impress on the opening day of Maple Leafs training camp.

The 26-year-old forward signed a one-year AHL deal with the Toronto Marlies on July 28. But it wasn't due to a lack of NHL offers, because there were. He signed in Toronto because of the organization's development, which Alex believes can help him return to being an NHL regular.

"I think it was the best to go here with the development and stuff like that," Alex said on Thursday. "They really care about the development of players and can make me a better player, and if I get the chance to get that NHL contract, it could be really good for me."

The forward skated in a trio with Jacob Quillan and Easton Cowan during Thursday's skate. He looked a lot like his brother, William, who he says influenced him to sign in Toronto.

"Obviously, he was a big influence and my dad, my agent, talking a lot throughout the summer. But we thought this was the best option for me in my career. So it's feeling really good, and I'm really happy about it."

Alex added that he's living with his brother, whom he says is like his best friend. 

"We talk to each other, we let each other be, and chill out with each other. So he's just really easy to be with."

Alex has played in several big hockey markets, in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Columbus, but nothing as big as Toronto. Although he's on an AHL deal at the moment, there's always the potential that it turns into an NHL contract.

If that happens, Alex already knows a bit of what to expect when playing for the Maple Leafs.

"[William's] told me a little bit. Obviously, I've seen it and heard about it when he's been playing here for the past, I don't know, eight years or whatever. So, I mean, he loves it," Alex said.

"It's some big fans here, and they love the hockey, so that is awesome. And he said it's a great city to play in."

Another goal remains within all of this: Alex and William have played together before, but never at the NHL level. Along with developing and getting consistent playing time with the Marlies — if that's where he starts the year — an objective that Alex shares with William is that the brothers play in the NHL together.

"I mean, it's obviously was a dream since we were younger to both just be in the NHL. And then now that we could have a chance to play on the same team together is huge. It's obviously a dream come true if that happens, and I gotta work really hard to get that."

Amid the hype, though, Alex remains focused on the now, instead of looking ahead to what could happen in the future with the Maple Leafs.

"I'm here to focus on my day-by-day. I'll be practicing, I'll try to get better every day and show them that I can be an NHL player, and show them that I like to compete and work hard," Alex said.

"So that's kinda my goal, thinking about right now, not thinking too far ahead. Just focusing on here now."