With that being said, Bylsma also said he believes the structure of the NHL game might be a better fit for Nylander to success.
"I think Alex is a talented and skilled player," he said. "He's got deception in his game both from his shot and playmaking ability. Yes, I think there's a good chance that you'll see him have maybe a little bit more success than he's had so far this year in Rochester."
Alex said that, aside from a discrepancy in the way they skate, he believes his and his brother's games are a lot alike. That's good news when you consider the success William has had as a rookie this season. He ranks third amongst rookies with 59 points (22+37), behind teammate Auston Matthews and Winnipeg's Patrik Laine, and was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for March after leading all rookies with 14 points (4+10) in 14 games.
"He's helped me a lot since he came up last year halfway through the season in the NHL," Alex said. "He's helped me just try to develop as much as possible in the AHL and be ready when this moment comes."
William remembered another way he might have helped his younger brother along the way.
"I actually played goalie when I was a kid so he'd be shooting on me all the time," he said. "I think that's how he got a good shot."
For 60 minutes tonight, however, brotherly love goes out the window, replaced by the same sibling rivalry that fueled them in knee hockey and beyond.
"We're brothers. We always want to be better than each other," William said. "It'll be fun."
"We've always had a winning culture," Alex said. "Sometimes some fights broke out but at the end of the day we're best friends."
