Why Maple Leafs Prospect Topi Niemela May Take the Subsequent Step and Make His NHL Debut This Season

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September 14, 2024

Topi Niemela is one season into his skilled profession in North America, and he is able to see the place this subsequent 12 months takes him.

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Niemela, a third-round decide (sixty fourth general) within the 2020 NHL Draft, appeared in 68 AHL video games with the Toronto Marlies final season and scored eight objectives and 31 assists for 39 factors whereas enjoying high minutes and being an enormous a part of their particular groups.

The 22-year-old might at all times be noticed on the Marlies energy play, whether or not or not it’s on the primary or second unit. He was an enormous piece of the crew’s success final 12 months as they snuck into the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Niemela is one among Toronto’s high defensive prospects approaching an NHL alternative, alongside the likes of Cade Webber and Mikko Kokkonen, who each hung out with the massive membership final season indirectly, form or kind.

Nonetheless, this season could possibly be when Niemela lastly will get his probability on the NHL stage.

“In fact, I attempt to get higher [as a] participant and take the subsequent step on my profession. That is the massive factor,” the defenseman mentioned earlier than he was requested if he had his eyes set on the subsequent stage.

“It is onerous to say. There’s lots of good teammates and I simply attempt to battle with them and in opposition to them, so we are going to see.”

Niemela spent his offseason at house in Finland, engaged on the facets of his recreation that he needs to enhance forward of this season. He additionally skated with new Maple Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa just a few instances this summer season.

“I used to be making an attempt to in fact get extra energy, get stronger and dealing on my taking pictures and a few particulars on the ice,” he mentioned.

Nonetheless, the defender wasn’t able to reveal how a lot stronger he bought.

“I bought stronger, however yeah, we’ll see,” Niemela mentioned with a smile.

The Oulu, Finland, native will push to land a spot on the Maple Leafs roster sooner or later this season. With how he is carried out all through the final 12 months, it is clear he is earned a quick audition. However when that is likely to be is tough to foretell.

All of that should come after Niemela exhibits continued progress within the areas the place it will be wanted when he strikes as much as the Maple Leafs. As Marlies head coach John Gruden factors out, it is persevering with to develop confidence and be sturdy in his personal finish.

“Properly, he continues to develop, understanding what it is wish to be a professional. He is had a pair years now. He was actually good for us final 12 months, understanding what’s gonna work for him and how you can be the most effective model of him. He can transfer the puck, he is sensible,” Gruden mentioned on Thursday.

“However defending and ensuring that he is enjoying in his personal finish and making that first good go is what’s gonna proceed to have him develop and play it at a better stage.”

His first in-game exhibiting will likely be in Montreal this weekend because the Maple Leafs’ prospects face the Canadiens’ prospects in a two-game showdown contained in the Bell Middle.