Nylander welcomes chance to work with Alfredsson in Toronto
The short version
- Daniel Alfredsson was hired as a Maple Leafs assistant coach under Jim Hiller
- William Nylander says Alfredsson is the first NHL coach he can speak Swedish with
- Nylander previously played under Alfredsson with Team Sweden at the Four Nations Face-Off
- Mike Van Ryn and Derek Lalonde were not retained on the Toronto staff
The Swedish forward says joining Daniel Alfredsson on the Maple Leafs staff gives him his first NHL coach he can speak Swedish with.
The Toronto Maple Leafs added former Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson to their coaching staff this offseason, hiring him as an assistant under head coach Jim Hiller. He joins assistants John Gruden and Brad Werenka, while Mike Van Ryn and Derek Lalonde were not retained.
For Swedish forward William Nylander, the move is notable for a personal reason: Alfredsson is the first NHL coach he can speak with in his native language. Nylander had already worked with Alfredsson at the Four Nations Face-Off in February as part of Team Sweden.
"First time in the NHL speaking Swedish to a coach," Nylander said, via Leafs Latest on X. "It's great. He's great to talk to, I had him at the Four Nations (Face-Off), and I got to know him there. I like working with him."
Alfredsson spent years as a divisional rival of Toronto, clashing with the Maple Leafs in multiple Stanley Cup Playoffs during his playing career before moving into coaching with the Senators.
In a statement, Alfredsson thanked the Ottawa organization, including owner Michael Andlauer and Steve Staios, for the opportunity to enter coaching, and said he was looking forward to joining Hiller's staff in Toronto.