Alex Nylander To Become Free Agent In Surprising Move By Blue Jackets

He had a strong season after being acquired by the Columbus Blue Jackets, recording 11 goals and 15 points in 23 games, but Alex Nylander will not receive a qualifying offer from the team, and will become an unrestricted free agent as of noon on Monday.

Confirmed that F Alex Nylander will not get a qualifying offer, will become a UFA.
Nylander had the most productive stretch of his career, set a personal high with 11 goals. But not enough for #CBJ to keep him. https://t.co/GLsOk1HcEt
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 30, 2024

His QO was $813,750 (two-way), but the Blue Jackets, surprisingly, have declined to offer it.

Nylander, a former first-round pick—eighth overall—of the Buffalo Sabres (2016) had his previous best stretch with the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2019-20, when he recorded 10 goals and 26 points in 65 games.

Unfortunately, a knee injury derailed his career from there, as he missed the entire 2020–21 season and the first half of the '21-'22 campaign recovering from surgery.

He had a solid year with the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate in 2022–23, with 25 goals and 50 points in 55 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Between the AHL and the NHL this past season, Nylander combined for a total of 28 goals in 66 games, and he will definitely have some takers in free agency.

Alex Nylander was very good with @BlueJacketsNHL , could be a nice skilled young , inexpensive value piece with upside for another club. #HockeyX
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 30, 2024