The Maple Leafs made long-term commitments to Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Is it enough to remake the look and feel of Toronto's defense? The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Sunday that they signed Swedish forward Alex Nylander to an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies. The 26-year-old split his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets organizations in 2023-24. After acquiring the player from Pittsburgh, Nylander stayed with the Blue Jackets and recorded 11 goals and added four assists in 23 games. Despite the production, the Blue Jackets elected not to extend a qualifying offer to the Swede, making him an unrestricted free agent. Alex, the younger brother of Maple Leafs star, William, has had a tough time finding his footing at the NHL level. Selected in the first round (eighth overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft, Alex has played just 121 NHL games spread over six seasons where he scored 25 goals and added 24 assists. Over the summer, the Nylander brothers had posted photos of them working out together and we at The Hockey News pondered if the Leafs would have any interest in signing the younger brother. With an AHL contract, Alex would likely earn an invite the Leafs training camp this fall. If he impresses to a point where his services would be needed with the Maple Leafs, the franchise could always convert the deal to an NHL deal. By keeping the contract at an AHL level, the Leafs don’t use up one of their 50 NHL contract slots and can use the time to evaluate Alex and see if he can become a useful depth addition on offense. The Leafs look particularly thin on depth forwards this year and this could present Alex an opportunity in the NHL. Nick Robertson, for example, remains unsigned and the restricted free agent reportedly requested to be traded out of Toronto If Alex can’t win a spot with the Leafs, he still provides proven scoring at the AHL level which could be beneficial for the Marlies. Alex had 17 goals and 15 assists in 43 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL last season. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Maple Leafs Star Auston Matthews Gives Fans a Glimpse of His Summer on Instagram [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-star-auston-matthews-gives-fans-a-glimpse-of-his-summer-on-instagram] 'Not Going Anywhere!': Joe Bowen and Jim Ralph to Return as Radio Voice of Maple Leafs For Another Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/were-not-going-anywhere-joe-bowen-and-jim-ralph-to-return-as-radio-voice-of-maple-leafs-for-another-season] Maple Leafs Rank 8th in NHL With a ‘B’ Grade on The Athletic’s Contract Efficiency List [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-rank-8th-in-nhl-with-a-b-grade-on-the-athletics-contract-efficiency-list] News from THN.com Collecting Connor: Rising NHL Star Bedard Saw His Hockey Cards Soar In Value [https://thehockeynews.com/news/rising-nhl-star-connor-bedard-saw-his-hockey-cards-soar-in-value-this-season] What's Next Once Hurricanes Winger Martin Necas Gets His New Contract? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/whats-next-once-hurricanes-winger-martin-necas-gets-his-new-contract] 'He’s All Business': Thatcher Demko's Emergence as Elite NHL Goalie Was No Surprise [https://thehockeynews.com/news/hes-all-business-canucks-thatcher-demkos-emergence-as-elite-nhl-goalie-was-no-surprise]
