I'm a big fan of the Nylander Brothers. I also have a lot of time for their father Michael who was dubbed "The Swedish Gretzky".
Alex was only 11 years old when his father left the NHL after playing 920 games for seven different teams. And yet, one year after oldest son William played with his father in Sweden, the 44-year-old Michael Nylander suited up for one game with his youngest son last season.
Alex was the CHL Rookie Of The Year in 2015-16 while Williams was an AHL All Star.
Last October, Michael Nylander told The National Post that has always been a goal for his sons to play together in the NHL.
“It’s a goal for the brothers to play together. I have a brother who I had a chance to play with. It’s great if it happens".
The Nylander boys were selected to play for Team Sweden at the IIHF World Junior Championships. William was injured and didn't finish the tournament. Alex starred for Team Sweden scoring 4 goals and 5 apples in 7 games. His standout WJC performance helped to propel Alex into the top ten elite class of the 2016 NHL Draft class.
Who would have predicted that Alex and William would be drafted by teams that hate one another with a red hot, burining passion?
Alex, the Buffalo Sabres first rounder (8th overall) and his brother William of the Toronto Maple Leafs are squaring off tonight for the first time in their professional careers. Alex said Thursday morning that he and Willie haven't played against one another in a very, very long time. They work out together and shinny with friends in the summer, however, they don't compete against one another.
The Nylander boys are chips off the old man's block. Like Pops, they are super skilled and possess all of the technical assets that are trademarks of elite NHL talent. Alex and Williams skate like the wind, havethe heavy NHL shot, can score and make plays. Learning the defensive side of the puck is something that will benefit both players.
For now, the brothers will live the NHL dream while it lasts. William projects to be an opening night starter for the Leafs. Alex will likely play for the Rochester Amerks, however he can make teh Sabres roster if he has a stand out training camp.
The Sabres and Leafs are renewing their decades old border skirmish in St. Catherines tonight. The same two teams will square off in Buffalo on Friday night.
I've always been a sucker for brotherly love and sibling rivalries in the NHL. I love that Marcus and Nick Foligno are NHL players. Ditto Ryan and Cal O'Reilly. I loved the Primeaus and the army of Sutters. The Sedins, Lundqvists, Benns, Bures and the Staals were always intriguing to me.
I'm very impressed at the love and admiration that Alex and William have for one another. It's genuine and real. One of my favorite memories of the NHL Draft in Buffalo was watching William support Alex at a media function that featured teh top ten draft prospects. William interviewd his little brother and the two could barely keep a straight face as their parents and media looked on. It was a genuinely happy moment for teh entire Nylander family.
Here are some other frozen moments that capture the love and admiration that the Nylander brothers feel for one anotehr.
So, the rumors of a Rasmus Ristolainen sighting in Buffalo are true.
Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma just stated in his pregame pressed that Ristolainen and his agent asked for and have been granted permission to skate with the Sabres while his contract negotiations continue.
Sabres GM Tim Murray and Risto's agent Mike Liut have spoken and permission has been granted for the 22 year old unsigned RFA to join Buffalo Sabres training camp on-ice activities.
Ristolainen just played a #1 D role for Team Finland at the World Cup of Hockey.
Ristolainen certainly doesn't want to skate home to Finland right now. Ristolainen spend two weeks in Toronto which is a par three seven iron away from his hockey home in Buffalo.
The Sabres play the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight in nearby St.. Catharines.
The Leafs will travel to Buffalo Friday night.
Thanks, Sabres Hockey Hotline
My bet is that Murray and Liut will hammer out a deal in the next day or two. If Risto and his agent were ambivalent toward the Sabres, the player would be nowhere near the team facilities.
Liut told the Buffalo News via email that Risto wanted to build on his summer fitness program.
"Everyone knows how dedicated he is to his training, and he wanted to continue to build on the gains he made this summer," Liut said. "He skipped the World Championship so he would have a full 16-week training session leading up to the World Cup, so he's more prepared than ever and wants to keep it that way.
"In the end, this made sense to him, at least in the short term."
Risto must have the supreme confidence that a contract is near completion. Risto wants to be with the boys. He wants to be ready for puck drop on the regular season on October 13 vs. Montreal.
I see this as a positive move as the two side continue to bargain in good faith.
I've been telling you all summer that Risto wants to be a Sabres star for years to come.
I'm told that media reports suggesting that the Sabres and Camp Risto are at odds over AAV. There is a report of a six year deal at $4.5M AAV. I'm told that the deal is more in the six year term with an AAV of $6M to $6.5M.
Ristolainen had a career year in his contract year. He potted nine goals and chipped in 32 assists while playing all 82 games for the first time in his three year NHL career. The mobile, agile, and hostile Finn was a tower of power by logging an average of 25:17 TOI per game.
I expect Ristolainen to take his game to a higher level this season. I Ristolainen earning a Norris Trophy nomination in the near future. First things first. Ristolainen has to sign his contract.
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