Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube wants more from Alex Nylander

Article content

After some good vibes with the reunion of the Nylander brothers on the Maple Leafs, there could be some separation anxiety.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Given a relatively quiet four games without a point following his elevation from the Marlies with an NHL contract, it was no surprise Alex took a seat Wednesday night against the Nashville Predators.

His five-game suspension complete, Ryan Reaves returned for at least a game on right wing, but Max Domi isn’t far off in his recovery from a lower body injury that will force at least one other forward to the press box.

Just as he has been supportive of the younger Nylander’s recall, coach Craig Berube sees room for improvement.

“Just OK,” was how the coach described his play. “He has done some good things, had some scoring opportunities early on when he was playing.

“He’s a skilled guy that scores (but there) hasn’t been a ton of power play time for him. The first unit eats a lot of that up. I’d say (he has been) fair.”

Article content

Article content

Should the Leafs be forced to consider demoting Alex, he would be on waivers as an NHL veteran. Other than the power play, he and William aren’t on the ice together, as William enjoys another great season, backing up his selection for Team Sweden’s 4 Nations Faceoff team with 15 goals and 26 points in 24 games entering play Wednesday.

MINTEN A KEEN STUDENT  

Since being called up around the same time as Alex Nylander, centre Fraser Minten is earning lot of praise for his hockey brain power, impressing older teammates with his understanding of X’s and O’s. 

“I watched a lot of hockey when I was younger, trying to study how I could get to the NHL,” Minten said Wednesday morning. “The best part of my day would be watching a game on TV, (usually his hometown Vancouver Canucks or the 2010 Olympics) and I still love watching almost every night. The whole game was exciting to me. 

Article content

“I wasn’t very big when I was younger, never had a ton of skill and was a late developer, so I got through each level by being smart. If you want to play and the coach is looking up and down the bench for someone, he has to know he can trust you to do little things.” 

Minten said Berube’s “straight lines north” system is similar to what he learned in junior with Kamloops and Saskatoon. 

“There are not too many moving parts, so it’s easier to jump into as a call-up,” Minten observed. “The development staff here also really break it down for you and that helps the analytical side.” 

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

STAMMER STRUGGLES 

Steven Stamkos expected a period of adjustment to Nashville after 16 seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but probably didn’t expect his new team to be fighting with Chicago to avoid the Central Division basement.

Article content

“We’re getting to the point of the season where we have to find a way to rattle off some wins,” Stamkos said after the Preds’ skate. “We’ve played tight games against really good teams and tried to find the positives. I think we’re on the brink of getting there.”

He and his mates don’t have to look far back to see teams which have been in similar autumn predicaments, and then recovered to make a playoff push, starting with the Edmonton Oilers in 2023-24.

“You look at Florida a couple of years ago, struggling, and they went to the (Stanley Cup) final. Go back St. Louis (which fired coach Mike Yeo, replaced him with Berube and won it all in 2019). By no means is this group thinking it can’t be done. But we can’t look that far ahead.”

Article content

Stamkos entered Wednesday’s game with points in back-to-back games for the first time this season, though he had just one goal in his previous six starts.

“You’re in one place for so long and your hockey sense is one way. It’s a little different here, but whether it’s the system or the personnel, you have to find a way to adjust. It has taken some time.”

HELP FIGHT ALS 

A reminder that the ALS ‘Courage To Fight’ virtual concert, featuring Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo and hosted by Ron MacLean, takes place at 8 p.m., ET, Thursday, streamed via ALSSuperFund.ca.  

In aid of the tireless work that survivor and former Leaf Mark Kirton has done to raise money and highlight family sacrifices of patients, the concert and many encouraging testimonials are the warmup for a sports and celebrity auction running Feb. 6-20. 

Article content

“I’ve been Iiving with ALS for six years and determined to raise awareness and help others facing the disease,” Kirton said. 

LOOSE LEAFS 

Predators head coach Andrew Brunette sees better things for his team, despite three overtime losses prior to the Toronto game. “It looks a lot more like us four of the last five, things that continue to stack up. I think we’re pounding on the door” … Two-time former Leafs defenceman Luke Schenn loves the change of scenery in Nashville. “Awesome for families, we’re 12 minutes from downtown. Property sizes for what you pay in Toronto, I got for quadruple. The minor hockey isn’t as (popular), but me, Stammer, (Jonathan) Marchessault and Ryan O’Reilly all have kids on the same team” … Brunette on O’Reilly being among the handful of remaining NHLers who don’t wear a visor. “I wore no visor most of my career, he’s the last of the Mohicans in a lot of things he does, how he prepares and his love of the game.” 

[email protected] 

X: @sunhornby 

Article content