Why Maple Leafs Prospect Topi Niemela Signed A One-Year Deal In Sweden

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Topi Niemela will spend next season in Sweden.

The 23-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Swedish Hockey League's Malmö Redhawks, the team announced on Monday morning. Drafted by the Maple Leafs in the third round (64th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Niemela spent the last two seasons with the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

The offensive-minded defender had a strong debut season after arriving from Finland, scoring 39 points—eight goals and 31 assists—in 68 games during 2023-24. This past year was supposed to be used as a stepping stone for Niemela to get a couple of NHL games, however, that wasn't the case.

Despite his strong hockey mind, puck-moving ability, and an improvement in his defensive play, Niemela struggled with size more than anything. He admitted last September that he worked on his strength, though he was reluctant to offer many details when asked about it.

"I got stronger, but yeah, we'll see," he grinned.

In a season filled with ups and downs, Niemela began the year with the Maple Leafs organization hoping he'd take another step and maybe push for an NHL debut later in the year. After a strong first season and a summer to work on several parts of his game, it was only right that Niemela would get every opportunity available.

"Well, he continues to grow, understanding what it's like to be a pro. He's had a couple years now. He was really good for us last year, understanding what is going to work for him and how to be the best version of him. He can move the puck, he's smart," Marlies head coach John Gruden said before the season began.

"But defending and making sure that he's playing in his own end and making that first good pass is what's gonna continue to have him develop and play it at a higher level."

A restricted free agent, Niemela can have his rights retained by the Maple Leafs if the club extends him a qualifying offer later this month. He's the second Toronto prospect to depart the organization after Roni Hirvonen signed a one-year deal in Finland.

Returning to Europe will allow Niemela to gain top-pair minutes and more playing time following a season where his ice time dropped as it went on. Niemela's tenure in Toronto (for now) ends with the defenseman scoring 11 goals and 52 assists in 135 games with the Marlies.