Over the weekend, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens’ high prospects participated in a two-game exhibition match that supplied a extra aggressive atmosphere than the inter-squad scrimmages held throughout the summer time growth camp. Each video games resulted in slim one-goal victories for the Maple Leafs. One recreation went to a shootout, whereas the opposite noticed the profitable objective scored with simply over a minute left to play. Right here’s a take a look at why defenceman Topi Niemela stood out.
Niemela’s efficiency was noteworthy as he enters the ultimate yr of his entry-level contract. He seamlessly transitioned his recreation from Europe to North America, showcasing the talents that led the Maple Leafs to draft him. This bodes effectively for his upcoming season with the Toronto Marlies within the American Hockey League, particularly contemplating he’ll develop into a restricted free agent on the finish of the season.
How Nicely Did Niemela Carry out?
Niemela had 5 assists within the two-game showcase. As a dynamic and inventive defenceman, he’s Toronto’s high defensive prospect and has at all times displayed flashes of talent. He was accountable for main the ability play and creating scoring alternatives from varied areas of the ice by incessantly becoming a member of the assault.
At 22, Niemela was one of many older prospects on Toronto’s defence, so expectations have been excessive. Scouts have persistently praised Niemelä’s work ethic. He at all times hustles, pushes boundaries, and relentlessly battles for the puck. Though Niemelä might not at all times succeed as a result of lack of pure energy anticipated of a future NHL defenceman, he strives to enhance.
Niemela is assured and calm, demonstrating wonderful composure with and with out the puck. He makes good performs on breakouts and is persistently the primary to retrieve pucks. Moreover, he’s constructing energy to carry his personal in bodily engagements and battles on the ice.
He was very concerned in each video games, main the highest power-play unit and incessantly taking low pictures on internet to create rebound alternatives for his teammates. Two of his three assists resulted from creating rebounds, whereas the opposite was a secondary help achieved by way of some slick puck motion to move to newly-acquired Cade Webber, who then arrange Roni Hirvonen for his first of two objectives.
His abilities in transferring the puck demonstrated his strengths, and his function as the principle participant within the energy play will probably be essential for the Marlies within the upcoming season. Final season, he led the workforce in power-play assists.
Elevated Expectations on the Marlies
Niemela was initially drafted for his defensive instincts and excessive hockey IQ, so his improved offensive talents have been a pleasing shock. In 2021-22 with Oulun-Karpat of Finland’s professional league, Liiga, as a 20-year-old, he had a breakout season with 10 objectives and 32 factors in 48 video games. Though his numbers declined the next season, he carried out effectively in his first season with the Marlies, with 39 factors in 68 video games.
He appeared extra snug because the season progressed and likewise earned extra duty in the direction of the tip. As he heads into the ultimate yr of his contract, the expectations to carry out effectively are excessive if he needs to safe one other contract and earn a beginning spot on the Maple Leafs.
Associated: 3 Marlies Wanting To Have Huge Offensive Seasons
On high of his offensive instincts, Niemela’s clean puck-handling add one other dimension to his recreation and assist to create scoring possibilities. Whether or not he’s producing rebounds or making clear breakout passes, he is a continuing risk, proving that he has extra to supply than simply defensive prowess. He’ll flip 23 in March and is the oldest Maple Leafs “prospect” on the Marlies. The stress is on for Niemela to steer the workforce from the Prospect Showdown to a profitable season with the Marlies and make a push for a Calder Cup.
Niemela’s Future With the Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs’ rookies have made some noise these previous seasons. Lately, there was drama and a contract dispute involving Nicholas Robertson. He ultimately signed a brand new contract, however there are nonetheless stories he could also be moved. Niemela has but to play a recreation for the Maple Leafs, but when he can take one other step up this season, might he see a place within the Maple Leafs’ defensive pairings? The Maple Leafs have utterly overhauled their defence this offseason, with the additions of Tanev on a multi-year contract, Ekman Larsson, and the current signing of Jani Hakanpaa, to a core that already had Simon Benoit, Timothy Liljegren, and
Jake McCabe .
One participant he can exchange within the lineup is Liljegren. Liljegren has been mentioned as a potential addition to the beginning lineup based mostly on his manufacturing and development as a participant. The Leafs are tight on the cap, and Liljegren’s $3 million hit can affect future signings and be simply changed by Niemela’s entry-level deal price $856,000. Liljegren hasn’t proven a lot to justify conserving him within the rotation at 25. This workforce is in win-now mode, and with a participant making that a lot who hasn’t hit over 30 factors but, choices should be made to make sure the roster is at its finest and has the cap house to make strikes the place needed.
The Maple Leafs’ defensive prospect pool has grown and improved considerably since Niemela joined the group. Now’s one of the best time for him to make a push and present why he’s the clear-cut subsequent man up. That is essential when incomes one other contract and competing for a roster spot based mostly on his development from the Rookie Faceoff match and his growth.
