Former Buffalo Sabres top prospect Alex Nylander will not receive a qualifying offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Because of this, he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

This Nylander news could certainly surprise some fans, as he seemed to find a great fit after being traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Blue Jackets this past season. In 23 games with Columbus following the move, he posted 11 goals and 15 points. However, new Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has decided to move on from him regardless. 

After a very hot finish to the season, there should be interest in Nylander on the free-agent market. While he is not the star the Sabres expected him to be when they selected him eighth overall back in 2016, he showed this past season with Columbus that he can be a decent goal-scorer in the NHL. Thus, a team looking for more secondary scoring could consider taking a flier on him at a cheap cap hit. 

In 19 games split over three seasons with the Sabres, Nylander had three goals and six points. 

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