Chicago Blackhawks: Why Nylander will get another stint in the top six

Alex Nylander has only played 84 games in the NHL, and there is still time for him to break out into a high-scoring NHL player with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Alexander Nylander, who was the eighth overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft, has not really found his edge in the NHL. The Chicago Blackhawks traded for him last offseason, and in 65 games this past season, Nylander put up 10 goals and 16 assists.

While Nylander was spotty throughout this past season, he did provide some stretches of good hockey. He is not as good as his brother by far, but Alex Nylander still has a lot of hockey ahead of him to turn things around.

Nylander is going to get a golden opportunity with the Blackhawks next season. He is going to have an opportunity to play in the top six on a weak team. After trading away Brandon Saad, there is a spot open in the top six, and Nylander will get a shot to take Saad’s spot with Toews and Kubalik.

I would prefer it if the Blackhawks allowed Patrick Kane to play with Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat. While I know they liked Kane with Dach, I think that Strome DeBrincat and Kane can be an electric line. That can provide the team with a lot of goals.

Nylander has not been a complete player throughout his first 65 games with the Blackhawks. Maybe giving him a shot with Jonathan Toews can allow Nylander to learn the importance of defense in his game. I am not saying Nylander will become a great two-way player, but he does need to be better on the ice.

Chicago will give their young players a lot of opportunities next season, and Nylander is one of those young guys. Hopefully, he can live up to his potential and score more than ten goals next season. If he becomes a healthy scratch forward night in and night out, it will only be a matter of time before we see Alex Nylander in a new uniform.