Former Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect signs deal with European team
The Toronto Maple Leafs are losing a former top prospect to Europe next season.
Defenceman Topi Niemelä, a third-round pick of the Leafs in the 2020 NHL Draft, has signed a deal with the Malmo Redhawks of the top Swedish league.
“Topi is a skilled defenseman who likes to follow the offence. Really good on the power play, has a sharp first pass and good mobility on the ice. He is already at a high level in many parts of his game – but also has the potential for even more,” Redhawks sporting director Oscar Alsenfelt said in a release.
Niemelä put up two goals and 22 points in 61 games with the Toronto Marlies this year, where he has spent the last three seasons. He has yet to make his NHL debut.
Though the deal might be seen as the end of the road for his shot at sticking in North America, the Redhawks don’t exactly see it that way.
“We have been looking for a defenseman with Topi’s profile and qualities, and he wants to come here because he sees a strong development environment with us. He wants to get better and break into the NHL – and we will help him with that,” Alsenfelt added.
How is the rest of the Leafs’ prospect pool looking?
Toronto’s draft history hasn’t exactly been full of hits in recent years. Since 2019, Matthew Knies and Nicholas Robertson have been the only regular players on the current roster, as well as the only two Leafs picks to play over 25 NHL games.
But there might be a player who is about to change that next season.
Easton Cowan, Toronto’s first-round draft pick in 2023, has shot right to the top of most prospect rankings during his years with the franchise, particularly after leading the London Knights to two straight OHL championships and a Memorial Cup this past season.
The Leafs hold six picks in the upcoming draft, which is being held Friday and Saturday of this week in a remote format for the first time.
Toronto’s first selection this year won’t come until the end of the second round, as they hold the Florida Panthers’ pick from a draft day trade last year.
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