For the 2024–25 season, William Nylander and his brother Alex are getting ready.

As he gets ready for what might be a huge year, the Toronto forward shared a story on Instagram on Monday that showed him performing squats. For the forthcoming season, the 26-year-old is still searching for a deal.

Alex played games in the AHL and NHL during the season. With the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, he made 46 appearances and recorded 17 goals and 15 assists. After being dealt from Pittsburgh to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the forard played in just 23 games and recorded a career-high 11 goals and four assists.

Nylander was not qualified by Columbus in June, so he became an unrestricted free agency.

Is it wise for the Maple Leafs to pass on the younger Nylander?

Depth scoring is one thing Toronto has been lacking in the past several playoffs. Just David Kampf, one of the players in the bottom six, scored a goal against the Boston Bruins the previous season.

If they hope to advance farther in the playoffs, they must address the issue of depth scoring.

Nylander, Mitch Marner, Calle Jarnkrok, and Ryan Reaves make up Toronto’s right wing. With the Maple Leafs through 18 postseason games, Jarnkrok has only managed one goal, but his strong defensive play has more than made up for it.

Reaves hasn’t scored a postseason goal since 2018 with the Vegas Golden Knights, despite being a fantastic player to have in the room during the playoffs.

That’s where the signing of Alex Nylander would be beneficial for Toronto.

Although he hasn’t shown that he can score goals consistently in the NHL, Toronto should be able to sign him to a league-minimum contract, which he had with Pittsburgh and Columbus the previous season.

Even if the Maple Leafs signed him for little under $1 million, it would still be a wise move. In addition to getting to play with his brother William, he would get the chance to pursue his lifelong dream of winning a Stanley Cup.

Although it would be a wise decision for all parties, Nylander’s contract position grows increasingly unclear as the summer goes on.