Maple Leafs Young Defensive Prospect Is The Real Deal

Leafs Prospect Topi Niemela has been seen as a top prospect for Toronto the past few seasons since being drafted 64th Overall by the Leafs in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. An offensive Defenseman, Niemela, 21, is apart of a deep 2020 NHL draft class for Toronto that also includes fellow top prospects Roni Hirvonen & Artur Akhtyamov, as well as the late Rodion Amirov.

Coming over from Finland to the Marlies at the end of the 2022-23 season, Niemela has found little struggle adapting to North American ice. Niemela's 18 Points in 58 Games in Finland's Liiga for Karpat may not raise eyebrows, but what doesn't show on the stat sheet is Niemela's improvements on defense, having a far more controlled and consistent two-way game, which the Leafs will be pleased to see. Niemela was also ranked 4th in The Hockey News' 2023-24 yearbook, ahead of Amirov & Hirvonen, both taken ahead of Niemela in the same draft year.

I wrote in an article for Editor in Leaf that it would not be a surprise if Niemela was given more time to develop. Despite a strong preseason, Niemela, a smaller offensive D, could benefit from conditioning time, like given to former Leafs Defensive prospects Timothy Liljegren & Rasmus Sandin, giving both more than enough seasoning to ensure they were ready for the NHL level, instead of keeping them in bottom line minutes. 2022 Top Prospects Simon Nemec & David Jiricek have been in the AHL for New Jersey and Columbus respectively for the same reason, to guarantee both come into the NHL without worrying about having to send them back down.

Niemela's most recent AHL game vs the Charlotte Checkers provides some insight into the type of game Niemela plays. Niemela (#47 White) scores early in the 1st vs Toronto. Watch how Niemela spots the loose puck, darting up opposite side of a puck battle, leaving Niemela unopposed to receive the puck out of danger, perfectly setting himself up for what was a successful scoring chance with a nice snipe. It shows the alertness Niemela carries on the ice, and his ability to create open chances for himself by being elusive on the ice.

Another play that might excite Leafs fans is this block late in the 3rd, where Niemela puts his body out on the line to block a shot that looks to hit him in the upper leg. That willingness to put himself in high-risk defensive situations is something Niemela has improved upon, showing more urgency on the defensive side of things.

The Marlies won 4-2, with Niemela getting his first goal on the season, while playing top line for the club. Niemela has a goal and 3 points in 4 Games for the Marlies this year. It seems that Niemela is close to NHL ready, and with his improvements to his game, perhaps the Leafs have a future top-four Defenseman in the waiting below.