A top defensive prospect for the Leafs is reportedly leaving the organization and heading back to Europe for the remainder of the regular season.
Drafted in the third round of the 2020 entry draft, right-handed defenseman Topi Niemela was supposed to be the Leafs' next top-4, puck-moving defenseman.
Unfortunately, his development has stalled and he has fallen down the depth chart in the organization behind the likes of Marshall Rifai, Philippe Myers, Mikko Kokkonen and others.
A smooth-skating blueliner, Niemela looked ready to make an immediate impact within the organization after posting 32 points in 48 games with Karpat of the SM Liiga in the 2020-21 season. Neimela chose to remain with Karpat an additional year before making the move to North America for the end of the 2021-22 season.
The 6'0, 180-pound defenseman is in his second full season with the Toronto Marlies, but according to multiple reports, he is headed back to Europe to join Lulea of the Swedish Hockey League.
At this time, it is unclear if it is purely on loan or if the soon-to-be 23-year-old will be placed on unconditional waivers for the purposes of a contract termination on Monday. Should he be placed on unconditional waivers and have his contract terminated, it will open a contract slot for the Leafs while also giving Niemela the opportunity to start fresh somewhere else next season.
Heading into training camp, Niemela was thought to have an inside track to being the Leafs' seventh or eighth defenseman, but a sub-par training camp led to a demotion back to the Marlies.
As Brad Treliving continues to put his stamp on the Leafs' organization, Niemela is a player that doesn't specifically fit the mold that the Leafs' GM prefers and is one of the first higher draft picks of the previous regime to depart.
-1740015996-q80.webp "Flyers Practice; Injured Players Skating, Lines Update, and Notes from Wednesday")
-1739413284-q80.webp "Fresh Blow To Australia As Spinner Gets Reported For 'Suspected Action'")