Topi Niemela
Finally, we have the Toronto Maple Leafs top defensive prospect in the system in Topi Niemela. Niemela was chosen in the third round by the Leafs back in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
He has made great strides in his game since then, as he has helped Finland earn a bronze and silver medal in consecutive years at the U-20 World Junior Hockey Championships. Niemela was even named Top Defenseman in the 2021 edition of the tournament, as he led all defenseman in scoring.
Niemela has further developed his game during this past year with the Marlies. Given big minutes to play with, he led all Marlies defenseman with 8 goals, 31 assists for 39 points in 68 games played.
Niemela projects to be a top-four, middle-pairing defenseman for his future in the NHL. But with a potentially high ceiling, he could go all out to prove that he can be even better than that. (All stats from hockeydb.com)
The Leafs defense corps endured their fair share of injuries last season that resulted in some constant roster shuffling throughout the year.
As a result, with a rapidly growing Niemela who seemed to be getting better and better after every game he plays, he would be the ideal candidate to insert into the Leafs blueline for the upcoming year if they run into some injury troubles for their back end once again.