Topi Niemela
Topi Niemela is considered to be the Toronto Maple Leafs top defense prospect.
It is unlikely that he will start the season in the NHL, but it won’t be long before he gets there.
Last season, Niemela joined the Marlies once his season with Karpat in Liiga was complete.
He registered eight goals and ten assists for 18 points in 58 games with Karpat last season and recorded two points in six games with the Marlies.
He also registered five points in six AHL playoff games and did not look out of place.
Niemela will get a lot of playing time on the Marlies’ top defense pairing and should see playing time in all situations.
He will be on the Leafs short list of defense call-ups should there be an injury at the NHL level. If he is called up at some point this season, expect him to play on the third pairing. Doing so will protect him as best as possible while he adapts to the NHL.
It’s hard to predict how well he will do points-wise in the AHL, but if I had to guess, I would say Niemela should be able to reach 20-30 points this season.
How he plays on the power play and penalty kill will be worth watching. He is only 21 years old and still developing, so it is best not to rush him.
Even if he plays in the AHL all season and challenges for an NHL spot next season. He is an important part of the Toronto Maple Leafs future.