Alexander Nylander will play in his third World Junior Championship. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres assign Alexander Nylander to Sweden

BUFFALO – The Sabres have assigned forward prospect Alexander Nylander to Team Sweden for the World Junior Championship, the team announced late Wednesday.

The tournament starts next week in Buffalo.

Nylander, 19, dazzled at times during the last two World Junior Championships, scoring nine goals and a whopping 21 points in 14 games.

Perhaps playing among teenagers again will jumpstart Nylander’s season.

Nylander has endured a rough four months. After suffering a lower-body injury in rookie camp, the slick youngster missed all of the main camp and didn’t make his season debut until Nov. 17 with the Rochester Americans.

So far, Nylander has struggled in his second AHL season, compiling two goals, six points and a minus-8 rating in 14 games.

General manager Jason Botterill said last week the Sabres could loan Nylander to Sweden. The Sabres’ old regime let him play for his country last year.

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