{"id":117149,"date":"2021-08-16T13:38:59","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T17:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=117149"},"modified":"2021-08-16T13:38:59","modified_gmt":"2021-08-16T17:38:59","slug":"chicago-blackhawks-re-sign-alex-nylander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/08\/16\/chicago-blackhawks-re-sign-alex-nylander\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Blackhawks Re-sign Alex Nylander"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Blackhawks have re-signed restricted free agent forward Alexander Nylander<\/a> to a one-year contract worth $847,125. The 23-year-old winger will re-join the Blackhawks for his third season with the team.<\/p>\n

Blackhawks Sign Alex Nylander<\/h2>\n
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The former 8th overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft, Nylander has split his career playing for both the Buffalo Sabres<\/a> organization and the Chicago Blackhawks. Last season, Nylander did not play as he was recovering from having surgery on a meniscus tear in his left knee. Prior to his injury, the Swedish forward put up 26 points in 65 games during his first full NHL season.<\/div>\n
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Originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, Nylander was traded to the Blackhawks for defencemen Henri Jokiharju<\/a> in 2019. Despite his health concerns, Nylander is still a valuable player for the Blackhawks. He has shown flashes at times of the play that made him such a highly touted prospect. Nylander’s one-year deal will keep his status as a restricted free agent after the contract expires. This gives Nylander a chance to prove himself before signing a long-term deal. It also gives the Blackhawks more time to asses Nylander’s potential and his future within the organization.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

With the busy offseason that the Blackhawks have had<\/a>, it appears as if they are making a playoff push this season. They will be re-entering the NHL’s Central Division and have a great shot at a playoff spot. Franchise players Jonathan Toews<\/a> and Patrick Kane<\/a> aren’t getting any younger and the team recently made splashes by acquiring Vezina trophy winner Marc-Andre Fleury<\/a>, all-star defencemen Seth Jones<\/a>, as well as veteran players Tyler Johnson<\/a> and Jake McCabe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What To Expect<\/h3>\n

The re-signing of Alex Nylander to an inexpensive one-year deal gives the impression that the Blackhawks aren’t yet completely sold on Nylander’s health and level of play coming back from a serious injury that kept him out the entire season.<\/p>\n

Nylander will likely play in the team’s bottom-six next season, if healthy. The Blackhawks likely hope that he can play up to his potential and compete for a top-six spot in the lineup. However, it likely won’t happen next season especially considering the seriousness of the injury that he sustained.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>