4. Topi Niemela
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 5′ 11″ 165 lbs
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Draft: 3rd Round, 64th Overall 2020
After the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted him in the 3rd round, Niemela immediately went out and won the Best Defenseman award at the World Juniors.
Like almost every prospect the Leafs have, Niemela is an offensively skilled player with high hockey IQ. Corey Pronman called him a “smart puck mover…with good mobility and skill, but his brain drives his value.” That’s high praise.
Niemela now ranks ahead of Liljegren on the prospect charts because he’s got a better chance of being an impact player in the NHL. The Leafs obviously have a type (smart puck moving defenseman) and Niemela is a walking example of it.
Niemela is currently back in Finland playing for Karpa in the SM-liiga but will probably sign a contract with the Leafs and finish out the year with the Marlies after their season ends.
He may not be playing for the Leafs this year, but he likely will be a candidate to make the team beginning next season.