William or Alex Nylander?

[FrozenJagrt]

But then can't you say Alex is already adjusted to the NA ice due to playing in the OHL the season prior?

Shouldn't be a factor, really. William has spent more time in his life in North America than Europe. Didn't move to Sweden full time til he was 14. Prior to that, he only spent his summers there. Born in Canada, raised in USA as his father did the journeyman thing in the NHL

 

[Kamiccolo]

Willy just for the fact that a Sabres fan said he was a lock for the Sabres roster and I wasted a pick on him in my fantasy league.

 

[LeafGm]

As far the AHL numbers go...

William had around 70 professional games in Sweden before he played a game in the AHL under his belt while Alex was fresh out of junior. Not a fair comparison and Alex's numbers are still pretty good.

Unless we're talking about the Sedin twins, who are genetically identical, are the exact same age and grew up playing on all the same teams, there's never going to be a perfectly "fair" comparison between two players.

All you can do is try to make the best comparison possible, and I don't think there's any better comparison for young players than an age-by-age comparison.

As for the professional experience in Sweden giving William and edge, I don't know how much of a factor that'd really be. I do think playing professional hockey in Sweden was to William's benefit, since he was clearly ready to play at that level, but the OHL also does a pretty good job of preparing high-end players for North American professional hockey.

But then can't you say Alex is already adjusted to the NA ice due to playing in the OHL the season prior?

I don't think "adjustment to North American ice" is really a factor worth considering for either of the Nylander brothers. After all, both of them spent their formative years & early teens learning to play hockey in North America, while their father Michael played for various NHL teams.

As a result, it's not like either is unfamiliar with North American ice, the english language or North American culture.

 

[tony d]

William for me.

 

[Deif]

Watched a ton of William. But haven't watched Alex at all.

Who do you guys feel is the better player?

And can you give any comparisons for Alex?

William, not even a question

 

[Divine]

What's wrong with Alex Nylander?

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

What's wrong with Alex Nylander?

Nothing? Considering his age he's producing at a respectable clip (just a tick above Kapanen's pace last season also as a 19 year old). My pick is William but I don't see any reason to doubt him as a prospect based on his AHL time.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Nothing? Considering his age he's producing at a respectable clip (just a tick above Kapanen's pace last season also as a 19 year old). My pick is William but I don't see any reason to doubt him as a prospect based on his AHL time.

Just fyi, Alex is 18.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Just fyi, Alex is 18.

Thanks for that. Honestly thought he'd turned 19 already but looks like he's got a few months yet.

 

[Rob Brown]

I think they're both going to become great NHLers, but I'll take Willy as he's proving himself at the NHL level right now. Doesn't mean Alex couldn't become better, though.

 

[BIitz]

William has been better at every age.

 

[slimbob8]

If you had to pick one right now it would obviously have to be William no matter what team you cheer for. Better pre-nhl numbers and is proving he can score at a high level in the NHL so it's a no brainer. But having said that, there's no reason Alex couldn't become the better player in the long run since they're both still young.

 

[VictorLustig]

William has been better at every age.

Agree. At no point has Alex been a better player than his brother. I think both will become pretty good NHL players though.

 

[Mark Kandy]

Sabres fans, do you think Alex will get a couple of games in the NHL this season!? Could be a great experience for the kid, Buffalo likely won't dance anyway!

 

[Revelate]

Sabres fans, do you think Alex will get a couple of games in the NHL this season!? Could be a great experience for the kid, Buffalo likely won't dance anyway!

It's possible, but not likely imo. Sabres have quite a few wing prospects that are senior to him and probably deserve the call up more. Baptiste (leads the AHL in goals), Bailey, and Fasching are all more likely call ups.

 

[Stephen]

William has a superior PPG average in the NHL compared to Alex in the AHL.

 

[Loffer]

Apples and oranges. Like Marcus and Michael Granlund. Which one is better? It depends.

 

[Snippit]

If Buffalo gets a consistent 55-60 point winger out of Alex, that's good with me.

 

[1972]

William has a superior PPG average in the NHL compared to Alex in the AHL.

He's also two years older and this is his forth pro season.

 

[Muston Atthews]

Apples and oranges. Like Marcus and Michael Granlund. Which one is better? It depends.

The only thing it depends on is age at this point.

 

[Pyromaniac]

Apples and oranges. Like Marcus and Michael Granlund. Which one is better? It depends.

Uhh what? You just gave an example where the talent gap is even larger. Give me Mikael every day.

 

[CaseyMitts37]

Sabres fans, do you think Alex will get a couple of games in the NHL this season!? Could be a great experience for the kid, Buffalo likely won't dance anyway!

It's always a possibility, but I don't see it happening this year

Just way too many guys above him in Rochester at wing who are older and more deserving of a call-up (Fasching, Bailey, Baptiste, etc.)

 

[57special]

Apples and oranges. Like Marcus and Michael Granlund. Which one is better? It depends.

No, it doesn't. Mikael is clearly better.

 

[Team Cozens]

William has been better at every age.

Nice start to the WJC for Alex today with 2 goals. William mighty be the better player, but Alex will end up with more goals, assists and points in his NHL career.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Nice start to the WJC for Alex today with 2 goals. William mighty be the better player, but Alex will end up with more goals, assists and points in his NHL career.

Based on ? Because there is no basis in reality that points to this ...