Maple Leafs Organization Signs 3 More Players, Including Alex Nylander

The Maple Leafs have been one of the more active NHL clubs this summer, and their AHL affiliates, the Toronto Marlies, have been equally busy following the departures of several key figures, such as Fraser Minten, who was dealt to Boston in the Brandon Carlo deal, and Nick Abruzzese and Alex Steeves, among others, who departed as free agents this summer.

Following a couple of quiet weeks for the Leafs and Marlies, the organization has picked right back up to kick off the month of August, signing 3 more players to new contracts.

Per the Marlies, they have signed Alex Nylander, Brandon Baddock, and Luke Grainger to 1-year AHL contracts.

Nylander, the younger brother of Maple Leafs star winger William Nylander, spent last year with the Marlies, signing an NHL contract early on in the 2024-25 season when injuries left the Leafs with no other choice.

Nylander notched 23 goals and 44 points in 64 games at the AHL level last season, but did not register a single point in 5 NHL games with the Maple Leafs last season.

Baddock, 30, is a career AHLer and plays more of an enforcer-type role. He has seen stops in Rockford, Iowa, Laval, and Binghamton along the way. He has suited up in just 1 career NHL game, with the Montreal Canadiens in 2021-22.

Grainger, 25, is a former star with West Michigan University, recording 14 goals and 48 points in 38 games in 2023-24 before turning pro and joining the San Jose Sharks organization and playing 9 combined games for the Barracuda, their AHL affiliate, in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Grainger spent most of last season with the ECHL's Wichita Thunder, notching 21 points in 36 games.