As we count down to the start of Maple Leafs rookie camp next month, THN Toronto looks at the organization's top 10 prospects in their system.
Topi Niemela has checked one season of North American hockey off his list, but this next year might be his biggest yet.
From Aug. 12 to Aug. 23, I will highlight the top 10 prospects within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. The rankings will be based on:
- Highest ceiling at the NHL level, under 23 years old
- Past season of play on their perspective team
- Closest to seeing an NHL game with the Maple Leafs
Topi Niemela (Toronto, AHL), 22, RD, 6-foot-0, 179 lbs
There were a lot of question marks surrounding Niemela when it came to his debut season in North America. How was he going to handle a heavier game? Could the defenseman have a smooth transition to the AHL?
He gave those watching the answers fairly quickly.
Marlies head coach John Gruden called Niemela a player "you can count on" just four games into the 2023-24 season.
"He’s not afraid to get involved," Gruden added. "He made some really nice blocks. For him, that’s understanding what’s important on the ice."
Niemela finished his debut year with eight goals and 31 assists for 39 points in 68 AHL games. The 22-year-old played throughout the Marlies' defense core, with several partners this past season.
He also spent time on both of Toronto's power play units, getting key experience during the man advantage. Throughout the season, you could see Niemela becoming increasingly comfortable with his game on the Marlies.
The defenseman isn't the smallest player on the ice — and he's not one of the tallest either — but he plays with a lot of snarl, which you sometimes don't see from younger players in the league.
Niemela has a lot of offensive upside, which is one of the many reasons why the Maple Leafs drafted him in the third round (64th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft. He excels in moving the puck up-ice and his first pass is almost always on his teammate's stick.
The Oulu, Finland native's defensive game also improved throughout the year. His gap control and physicality in the Marlies' end allows him to defend successfully.
Niemela also excels in his positioning on the ice. If he's caught in a jam, such as a 2-on-1 like the clip below, the defenseman can use his angles to push the forward to take the second-best path to the net.
There are so many things that Niemela can positively take away from his first AHL season. It was a massive year for the defender to establish himself as someone the Maple Leafs could call upon if needed due to injuries in the future.
It was too early for Toronto to do that in his debut season, but that could change in the 2024-25 season.
If there's one area of his game that Niemela can work on — and he likely has over the summer — it's adding weight to his six-foot frame. Although the defenseman is physical and isn't afraid to mix it up with his opponents, he sometimes struggles with the strength of the AHL.
But Niemela isn't far from being a stronger and more physical defender.
"I think the biggest thing, I'm defensive-minded, so I have to focus on defense. That's, of course, the biggest thing," Niemela said in April when asked about whether his point total is a focus of his during the year.
"Of course, I kind of know how many points I have, but I don't really focus on that after every game. [The main focus] is to try to help the team win and the points will come."
He'll need to add strength and mass to his body if he wants more success with the Marlies. And in turn, that'll also set the young defenseman up for a positive experience if he is to make his NHL debut next season.
However, other defensemen will be battling for a call-up, including Philippe Myers, Dakota Mermis, Marshall Rifai, Mikko Kokkonen, and potentially Conor Timmins. Each will likely be a depth piece for the Maple Leafs when the season begins
Niemela's ceiling is an offensive-minded middle-six defenseman who can play multiple roles on an NHL team. He'll likely be a great addition to Toronto's second power play unit when he's ready for the opportunity.
However, for now, Niemela's main focus as he enters his second season in North America should be becoming stronger and continuing to be consistent with the Marlies in the AHL.
