Maple Leafs could find answers to their bad form in Europe

The Toronto Maple Leafs could find answers to their slump in Europe. As the franchise looks for a younger, faster and hungrier roster, two former prospects who returned to Europe after their ELCs — Topi Niemela and Roni Hirvonen — are putting on performances that invite a reconsideration of their fits in Toronto.

Their rights are still held by the Maple Leafs thanks to qualifying offers, and both signed one-year contracts in Sweden and Finland. If the goal is to inject energy and puck movement into the bottom of the roster, Europe has two candidates.

Is Europe a bridge for the Maple Leafs' roster revamp?

Niemela, 23, plays for the Malmo Redhawks in the SHL. He is not replicating the offensive numbers that put him on the radar in 2021-22 or those from his AHL debut in 2023-24, but his positional play, zone reading and clean first pass are now his calling cards.

On the larger ice surface, his size is no longer an issue and his two-way responsibility profiles him as a third-pair option with the ability to move the puck without mistakes, a far cry from the label of a future power-play quarterback. If Toronto decides to bet on mobility and quick decision-making, Niemela fits better than more offensive profiles like William Villeneuve.

Hirvonen, 23, plays with Karpat in Liiga. There, he has found his best level so far, recording 21 points in 22 games, matching what he achieved last year with the AHL Toronto Marlies. 

The Finnish league does not reach the level of the NHL — not even that of the SHL or AHL — but Hirvonen is showing qualities that his previous coaches did not exploit. His combo of two-way play, agitation and nonstop effort could translate to the bottom six, even with a 5-foot-10 frame that does not fit the mold of the bigger Leafs.

Even if Toronto does not see them as pieces for the immediate future, their performance raises their value on the market. As sweeteners, they could help balance an in-season trade. The essential point is that both would only consider returning to North America if the destination is the NHL.

It is a good opportunity for Toronto at a time when things could hardly get worse. With one-year contracts and retained rights, the Leafs have sufficient flexibility to decide whether to incorporate them or not, with little risk involved.