How Alex Nylander can seize his opportunity in Calgary Flames camp on PTO

Alex Nylander was only a baby when his dad’s time with the Calgary Flames came to an end, so it’s not like he has treasured memories of his family’s time in the city.

His dad, Michael, had nothing but good things to say about the four-plus seasons he played with the Flames in the 1990s , though, and that didn’t hurt when it came time for Alex to sign a professional tryout agreement with the organization this summer.

“My dad played here back in the day and really liked it, so I just thought it was a great opportunity,” Nylander said on Thursday morning after Day 1 of Flames training camp. “I don’t remember (that time), but they loved it here is what they told me.”

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Drafted eighth-overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 NHL Draft, Nylander has bounced around the league in the time since before signing in 2024 to play in Toronto, where his brother William has starred.

Most of Alex’s time in Toronto was spent with the Marlies in the AHL, where he won the Calder Cup this past spring and he put up 23 goals and 29 assists in 2025-26.

Could there be an opportunity for NHL time in Calgary? It’s possible. The Flames are in a rebuilding phase and struggled to score last season, something that Nylander could help with.

“He’s an offensive player, we know he’s been around a lot,” Flames head coach Ryan Huska said. “He’s helped teams win in the past like he did last year, he’s a very good power-play player. When he plays his couple games he’s allowed to play (in pre-season), those are things we’ll look for out of him.”

Even if it doesn’t quite feel like a homecoming for Nylander, there’s genuine excitement about returning to Calgary. A big part of that is opportunity.

“There were a couple teams and I really thought about what’s best for me, and it was Calgary,” Nylander said. “Where the organization is going, they’re going better and I want to be part of that and help them become the team I can see them become.

“I’ve just got to go play my game and show I deserve this opportunity and can help the team and contribute there, so just taking it day-by-day and trying to work my ass off and show that I belong here.”

Martin Pospisil started Day 1 of training camp playing at centre on the Flames’ fourth line. He has played centre before but it never has lasted long. Speaking after practice, Huska indicated that he intended on giving the Slovak forward a longer leash and give him an extended run at the position … Brennan Othmann skated in the second training group on Thursday. He is a restricted free-agent and has still not signed a contract for the coming season. Othmann was acquired in the March deal with the New York Rangers that sent prospect Jacob Battaglia in the other direction … Connor Zary was on the left side of a line with Ryan Strome and Yegor Sharangovich. That’s likely where Jonathan Huberdeau will play when he’s ready to play after undergoing hip surgery earlier this year. Huberdeau won’t be available for the start of the season, though.