The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Topi Niemela in the third round of the 2020 NHL draft with the 64th overall pick. Niemela did not register many points in his draft year but was still selected in the third round, thanks to his defensive play.
Since his draft, Niemela has performed so well that he looks like a steal for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round.
One thing that every scout pointed out was how reliable Niemela was in the defensive end. Being able to rely on a defenseman when they don’t have the puck is what every coach wants.
Niemela’s first season (2019-20) with Karpat in Liiga (Finnish Elite League) was also his draft year. He only registered seven points in 43 games that year. In his second season (2020-21), he scored four points in 15 games for Karpat.
(Stats from: Eliteprospects.com)
Where he really turned heads was at the 2020 World Junior Championship. Niemela recorded eight points in seven games during the tournament. That was enough to finish second in team scoring for Team Finland. He was also named the top defenseman of the tournament.
That makes it two years in a row that a Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has been named top defenseman of this tournament. Rasmus Sandin won that title in the 2019 tournament.
Toronto Maple Leafs Topi Niemela Doing Well in 2021-2022 season
Niemela has managed to increase his offensive output while still remaining reliable defensively. As of November 5th, the Finnish defenseman has three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 18 games. Those 18 points have him sitting first in scoring among all defensemen in Liiga.
The 19-year-old right-shooting defenseman is still unsigned by the Toronto Maple Leafs, but with the way he is playing, an entry-level contract is sure to happen soon. If there is one thing a team can never have enough of, it is a defenseman. The fact that he is a right-shooting defenseman is even better.
Niemela and his Karpat teammates have a game today (November 5th) and another game tomorrow. Hopefully, Niemela can continue his hot start and add to his point totals.
It appears that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas and his scouting department have found another mid-round draft pick gem. Team’s don’t always know what they are going to get from the players they draft.
It is very hit and miss, with many players chosen outside the top two rounds. Sometimes you strike out, while other times, you strike gold. I believe the Maple Leafs have indeed struck gold with defenseman Topi Niemela. I would expect to see him at Maple Leafs training camp next season, but likely will not play in the NHL until the 2023-24 season.