Sabres loan Nylander to Sweden for world juniors

Team Sweden received an early Christmas present on Tuesday.

Buffalo Sabres draft pick Alexander Nylander has been loaned to the team for the World Junior Hockey Championship, the Sabres announced.

Nylander was plucked by the Sabres eighth overall at this year's draft after a stellar outing at last year's tournament. Nylander led Sweden in scoring with four goals and nine points in seven games, en route to the team's fourth-place finish.

In his first taste of professional hockey, Nylander has five goals and 17 points in 29 games with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.