Alex Nylander’s path to Calgary has ended with a contract, not just a tryout.
On Friday afternoon, the Flames announced they had signed the winger to a one-year, two-way deal with an average annual value of $850,000. Nylander had arrived on a professional tryout shortly before training camp, and now he’s officially part of the roster mix.
Born in Calgary, Nylander also comes with a familiar name. He is the son of former Flame Michael Nylander, and he was taken eighth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 NHL draft.
The 28-year-old has never quite settled into the top-end NHL scorer many expected when he turned pro. His strongest season at the NHL level came in 2019-20 with the Chicago Blackhawks, when he put up 10 goals and 26 points in 65 games. He later posted a career-high 11 goals and 15 points in 23 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023-24.
Most of Nylander’s work has come in the American Hockey League, where he’s spent much of his career. Last season, he helped the Toronto Marlies win the Calder Cup, finishing the regular season with 24 goals and 53 points in 65 games. His postseason numbers dipped to six goals and seven points in 24 games, but it was still the third time in his AHL career that he reached at least 23 goals and 44 points.
When Nylander gets into a game for Calgary, he’ll become the third second-generation player to suit up for the Flames. His father played parts of five seasons in Calgary, scoring 34 goals and 108 points in 168 games, and later logged 920 NHL games over 15 seasons with 209 goals and 679 points.
The other second-generation Flames are Max Reinhart, the son of Paul Reinhart, and John Ramage, the son of Rob Ramage. Ramage played one game for Calgary, while Reinhart appeared in 23.
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Detroit stepped in and claimed Englund off waivers, adding another experienced NHL depth option to its back end. For Calgary, it is a reminder that the preseason competition did not settle every question on defense, and the organization is still sorting out how the group will look after a camp decision opened up another vacancy. [Read more 🡒]
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Mike Benning, Jake Livingstone, Dryden Hunt, Ben Jones, Rory Kerins, Sam Morton and William Stromgren all cleared waivers and were sent to the AHLs Calgary Wranglers, leaving the Flames with a clearer look at who stays in the big-league mix and who continues developing in the system. It is the kind of roster housekeeping that can pass quickly in the standings-driven grind of camp, but it also puts a spotlight on how thin the margin can be for depth players trying to hold onto NHL jobs. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Center Buzz Could Create Another Atlantic Headache For Ottawa
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What makes the situation worth watching is how many paths could open from here. Dach is in the final season of his deal and could reach free agency this summer, which gives Calgary a chance to monitor a familiar Atlantic rivals asset situation while also weighing whether Montreal even entertains moving him before then. For a Flames club always looking for help at center, it is the sort of name that can linger in the background right up until someone has to make a real move. [Read more 🡒]