Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Make or break time: Why Nylander, Tolvanen must take the next step this season

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Thursday, 26 September 2019 14:49

The margins between simply reaching the NHL, staying in the NHL and truly becoming a long-term contributor is especially thin. There's a variety of factors at play that contribute to a player making it or not, from the salary cap to team structure.

But of course, the primary factor is the player himself. Teams will find a way if they think that player is the best option. In the end, as much as the team situation dictates a player's future, the player is the one who can ultimately make or break his career trajectory.

Each year, there are a series of prospects who are going to be under more pressure to take the next step forward. That doesn't necessarily mean making the NHL per se, but rather showing what they really can do and giving their current organizations more reasons to consider them for impact roles. Here are seven such players for the 2019-20 season.


Alexander Nylander, LW, Chicago Blackhawks

Nylander was on this list last year, but his situation has drastically changed since that point. The former No. 6 overall pick was traded from the Buffalo Sabres to the Blackhawks for defenseman Henri Jokiharju. Nylander had not broken through with the Sabres and was in desperate need of a fresh start. And landing in Chicago may have been the perfect destination for him, as his father Michael played there.

This is the second year in a row the Blackhawks went out to find a former highly-regarded prospect who wasn't breaking through in his current organization. The lead on this very list last year was Dylan Strome, who was traded to the Blackhawks, reunited with former Erie Otters linemate Alex DeBrincat and had his breakout season with 51 points in 58 games with Chicago after the trade.

But Nylander is in a very different situation than his new teammate Strome, who played two extra seasons in junior before a sensational rookie season in the AHL. In a lot of ways, Strome's development -- while slower than others in his draft class -- better positioned him for his future. The same can't really be said for Nylander, who went straight to the AHL at 18 years old. With 20-20 hindsight, that may not have been the best thing for him, or for the Sabres.

Read 438 times

Soccer

Utd chief: Club aiming for the top under Amorim

Utd chief: Club aiming for the top under Amorim

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United are aiming to get back "to the top of domestic an...

Real Madrid president blasted in Ballon d'Or row

Real Madrid president blasted in Ballon d'Or row

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA Namibian journalist criticised by Florentino Pérez for failing to...

Barça to close singing section due to unpaid fines

Barça to close singing section due to unpaid fines

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona will close a section behind the goal at the Olympic Stadi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Malone rips into Nuggets after Knicks put up 145

Malone rips into Nuggets after Knicks put up 145

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter his Denver Nuggets "got embarrassed" in a 145-118 blowout los...

C's celebrate Porzingis' return with dominant win

C's celebrate Porzingis' return with dominant win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- In his first game since helping the Celtics win the NBA c...

Baseball

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJeff Hoffman is one of the most sought-after relievers in this offs...

Rays asked to declare stadium decision by Sunday

Rays asked to declare stadium decision by Sunday

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Tampa Bay Rays have until Sunday to declare whether they want t...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated