Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #1 - Topi Niemela

During a 10-day period that will span from August 7-18, I will be releasing my rankings (from 10-1) of who I believe is the closest prospect to playing full-time NHL hockey with the Maple Leafs.

Topi Niemela (Toronto Marlies) 21, D, five-foot-11, 170 lbs

The 21-year-old impressed everyone during his AHL debut earlier this year. He stepped into the Marlies lineup almost immediately and didn't look out of place.

What makes Niemela such a strong defenseman is his two-way play. Although he is on the smaller end, the 21-year-old plays with a lot of bite. He moves the puck up-ice almost flawlessly too.

His biggest strength, though, is his offensive output. Niemela put up only two points in his first six games with the Marlies before entering the Calder Cup playoffs and scoring five points in seven games.

What's most positive about the 21-year-old is that he understands what's needed of him to become a better player in the AHL.

"I need to be more physical and stronger and defence better, I think so," he said at Maple Leafs development camp.

If Niemela can put on weight and become a stronger player, his game in the defensive end will only improve. There were instances where the 21-year-old was outmuscled in the AHL, but his hardworking mentality did help him out a fair bit.

"I think for him again, it comes down to very similar to Roni (Hirvonen)," said Maple Leafs assistant GM, Player Development, Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser. "They play a lot, they skate a lot, but the next step for them will be their physical conditioning and strength, to be able to win retrievals on pucks and handle the contact and physical play that comes with the American Hockey League level."

Niemela has already gotten the offensive game figured out in the AHL, now it's all about his defensive game. And as Wickenheiser said, the next step for the 21-year-old is to be a physically-imposing defender.

He does everything right while leaving the defensive end. Now, it's a matter of having success when the opposition is coming towards him.

The 21-year-old is only going to improve and receive more responsibility from the Marlies' coaching staff. After just 11 games this past spring, Niemela had already found himself in the top four and on the Marlies' first power play unit.

He's the Maple Leafs' top prospect in my eyes because of his strong play already in North America after a short period of time. Pair that together with having more time to get used to the style of game in North America and you could see him at the NHL level in one to two year's time.

For this upcoming season, though, Niemela's likely to remain the quarterback of the top power play unit. He also might get even more opportunity with ice time if moved up the lineup. That will all depend on his play, though.

I'm even curious to see if the 21-year-old will get some time on the penalty kill, too. Adding that to his game will make him an even more important player in the Maple Leafs organization.

If Niemela does all of this while improving his strength and physical conditioning, it will make the 21-year-old's first full AHL season all the more fascinating.

Related

Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #2 - Roni Hirvonen

Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #3 - Fraser Minten

Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #4 - Nick Moldenhauer

Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #5 - William Villeneuve

Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #6 - Easton Cowan

Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #7 - Ty Voit

Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #8 - Dennis Hildeby

Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #9 - Keith Petruzzelli

Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #10 - Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa

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