The Toronto Marlies orchestrated an impressive comeback on Saturday, overcoming a 5-1 deficit to defeat the Bakersfield Condors 6-5 in overtime at the Coca-Cola Coliseum. Leading the charge was Alex Nylander, who delivered a five-point performance, including a hat-trick and the game-winning goal.
The 26-year-old recently returned to the Marlies after being placed on waivers and reassigned following a brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite failing to record a point in five games with the Leafs, Nylander wasted no time proving his worth in the AHL.
This offensive outing is an example of why he can thrive in the AHL. Slotted into a top-six role with the Marlies, he has been a key contributor all season, now sitting with 17 points (11G, 6A) in 16 games.
Prior to his call-up to the Leafs, Nylander had already tallied 12 points in 14 games – not missing a beat since his return. His 17-point total ranks second on the Marlies behind Alex Steeves, who has 14 goals, eight assists, and 22 points in 15 games played.
On Saturday, his first contribution came as an assist on Nikita Grebenkin’s second-period goal, which sparked the Marlies’ rally. Nylander then netted his first of the night on the power play, reducing the deficit to 5-2. By the end of the second period, the Marlies trailed 5-3, and Nylander had just gotten started.
In the third, he had his fingerprints all over the scoresheet, contributing an assist on Joseph Blandisi's goal tally, which cut the deficit to one before Nylander tied the game in the final minute of regulation. He then capped off the night with the overtime winner, helping the Marlies solidify their second straight win.
Throughout his professional career, the former first-round pick (eighth overall) has found success at the AHL level while failing to gain much traction in the NHL. With 355 career AHL games under his belt, he has amassed 223 points (108G, 115A). His best season came in 2022-23 with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he tallied 50 points in 55 games.
In the NHL, however, Nylander has struggled to find similar success. He has played just 134 total regular and postseason games, producing 25 goals, 24 assists, and 49 points. His most productive NHL season came in 2019-20 with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he recorded 26 points (10G, 16A) in 65 games.
During his brief tenure with the Maple Leafs this season, Nylander averaged just 9:53 of ice time per game, playing in a bottom-six role. Limited opportunities and depth, combined with increased competition at the NHL level, have made it difficult for him to carve out a lasting spot.
Despite his struggles at the NHL level, he is a valuable asset for the Marlies. For the Maple Leafs, he can be seen and utilized as organizational depth. If injuries create opportunities for the Maple Leafs, Nylander could earn another call-up. However, to stick with the club, he’ll need to translate his AHL success into more consistent NHL production.
