Five Maple Leafs Prospects Running Out of Time to Make the NHL
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Five Toronto Maple Leafs prospects have something to prove next season, or it could spell the end of their NHL chances.
For nearly every hockey player, making the NHL is the dream, even if just for one night.
One step to that dream is hearing their name called at the NHL Draft. Some who don't hear their name take the long path to either hear their name the next time around or work until they one day make it.
Not everyone is lucky to make it to the pros, and even harder is the jump to the NHL that even for a single game has eluded some legitimately quality players.
Five Toronto Maple Leafs youngsters find themselves in a crucial part in their development, with what they do this upcoming season being essential, if not critical, to their potential opportunity at making their mark in the NHL.
Five Leafs Prospects With Make-Or-Break Seasons
Topi Niemela: One Last Chance In Europe
Topi Niemela has left the Toronto Maple Leafs system in North America and is looking to restart his career in Europe, but with the hope it won't spell the end of his NHL chances.
Niemela, a highly rated defenseman back in the 2020 NHL Draft, was pegged to be a potential first rounder by some who ended up falling down to the start of the third round at 64th overall.
Despite some initial promise for the Finn after some solid seasons for his hometown club Karpat, Niemela had struggled to adapt to the North American game and is banking on recapturing his talents back in Europe with a move to Swedish club Malmö.
Some signs of concern showed with Niemela in his final year in Finland in which his games showed some signs of regression, as evident in a points drop from 32 to 18 in 10 more games. Niemela seemed to lose a bit of intensity and struggled more in the defensive end.
In North America, much of Niemela's weaknesses were a sign of things to come. Niemelä had struggled with the physicality of the AHL, often being overwhelmed quite easily by opponents and not having enough of a frame to his body.
Although talented, Niemelä faced a logjam that prevented him from potential NHL games. He's signed to Toronto until 2026, meaning this season could be his last chance to prove himself to the Leafs management.
Roni Hirvonen: Breakout Needed From Forward
Another Finn that was taken by Toronto in the 2020 NHL Draft, Hirvonen was a second round pick, 59th overall, that has always had flaws that as he's progressed upwards have continued to persist.
The obvious flaw in Hirvonen's game is his small stature at 5'10 and 180lbs. Hirvonen is a solid defensive forward for his size but can be intimidated against bigger, stronger players who challenge him.
Hirvonen has not shown himself as able to move upwards in the Marlies lineup beyond just a depth role, which he's played well but more is needed for him to have had a chance at the NHL.
Like Niemela, Hirvonen is taking his game overseas, going back home to Finland with Kärpät, where he too will be hoping it will be the spark needed for his game to advance and hopefully take the next step for a return.
Ryan Tverberg: Another Small Forward With Something To Prove
2023-24 seemed like Ryan Tverberg was on the up and defying the odds in the AHL, but this past season having crashed back down to earth, and making his projection a bit more murky.
The 23-year-old took a step back at both ends of the ice, dropping from 32 points to only 11, and struggling more on the defensive side of his game, having lost some of the physical gains he was making.
Tverberg has had an inconsistent AHL career, but will be hoping to bounce back this season in what could be a greater role with players such as Hirvonen and Alex Steeves now gone, giving Tverberg a chance for potentially more minutes.
Entering his fourth AHL season, Tverberg at one point looked like a forward who could surprise and at the very least get an NHL opportunity, but another down season could close the door on that chance entirely unless he can take a step up.
Joe Miller: Time Ticking On Collegiate Prospect
For Joe Miller, time is running out on his NHL future and this upcoming season will be a certain make-or-break situation for him.
Miller is heading into his senior year with Harvard, and the Leafs have until August 15, 2026 to either sign him or to relinquish his rights, making him a free agent.
Having taken a step backwards after a promising sophomore season, Miller has struggled with Harvard and is looking to reverse his fortunes going into what will be his final season in college.
There's the potential of him being a pro, but without a strong end to his collegiate career, it'll be unlikely Miller gets a contract with the Leafs and will walk with his NHL options unclear.
Vyacheslav Peksa: Goalie Buried In Depth Chart
Vyacheslav «Slava» Peksa is the one player here who seemingly has the most time to prove himself, but he too could end up on the exit eventually if the Leafs goaltending depth chart doesn't clear out.
Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov hold down the Marlies net, leaving Peksa down in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones to potentially take the reins in net there, facing competition from veteran Ken Appleby.
Peksa had been inconsistent in the ECHL last season, and didn't do well in an AHL stint, but ended the late stages of the season on a positive note, showcasing that the talent is there.
Even if he is able to progress up, Peksa is still limited and lacks the upside of Hildeby and Akhtyamov. If he can't come close to offsetting them on the depth chart, he'll likely be stuck at best in the AHL, with it possible if so he returns to Russia.
In Russia is another prospect in Timofei Obvintsev, who is approximately 2-3 years away from possibly coming to North America but could pose a threat if he's able to quickly accelerate while transitioning to pro hockey.
This season will be crucial to show Peksa has some more upside in his game, and could move him potentially up to the AHL, but he'll still have to contend with at the moment being blocked by two very capable prospects ahead of him.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 7 | 781 ANSWERS Five Maple Leafs Prospects Running Out of Time to Make the NHL Will any of these five players named make the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 484 | 62 % |
| No | 297 | 38 % |
| List of polls | ||
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