The 23-year-old winger signed a two-year entry-level contract around this time last year, and while nothing has officially been confirmed yet, its more than likely hell play for the Marlies this season. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Topi Niemela got drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2020 NHL draft.

It was in his best interest and the best interest of everybody to give him the best opportunity to make the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lilley said. The 20-year-old signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs in May. The physicality piece has been an area where he has really shown growth.

He has a great shot. They selected him with the #213th overall pick in that draft.

All three players have aged out and are ineligible for this years tournament. Mintens injury to start the season might slightly hamper his chances at making the team, but he has 3 goals and 11 points in 7 WHL games since returning. permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com. The Toronto Maple Leafs headed into the 2022 NHL Draft in familiar territory as the 2021 NHL Draft, with only three picks in the seven rounds to work with. Months later, when Sandland was on a phone call talking about his teams alternate captain, hes recalling that story in explaining how if theres one thing hed like people to know about Minten, its just how humble he is. Usually, a GM will only do that if theres a specific prospect they want, and evidently, they got their guy in this case. Leafs Prospects; Leafs Prospect Update: Matthew Knies and Ryan Tverberg invited to World Juniors Camps, Rodion Amirov returns to action, William Villeneuve scores overtime winner He currently has seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 16 games. Niemela produced at over a point-per-game pace with two goals and six assists in seven games at the 2021 World Juniors and was named the top defenseman for the tournament. The 19-year-old dressed in the red, white and blue at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in February.

The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. But on top of the tenacity and physical play Hyman has, Knies also has a very good shot. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a few prospects eligible to play in the 2023 World Junior Championships which will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick starting on. 2021 Top Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect: Nick Robertson. We create the lists without any biases toward country or nationality. Maple Leafs Commentary: Will Dubas Target Darcy Kuemper? Minten, middle, celebrates with his Kamloops teammates. Its everything.. Why the Maple Leafs Dont Need to Force a Trade to Become Salary Cap Compliant, Calle Jarnkroks Contract Signals Return of Maple Leafs Pre-Pandemic Salary Cap Strategy, Its Way Too Early to Worry About Auston Matthews Future with the Maple Leafs. He finished the season with 57 points in 65 games along with 16 points in 17 playoff games.

If theres any prospect Maple Leafs fans are going to be watching closely this year, its Niemela. Hirvonen currently has four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 25 games. If you care about the team with the maple leaf on its jersey, youll be watching Canada at the world junior hockey tournament.

He could even find himself in the same group as Steeves and Abruzzese as the next man up. (Stats from eliteprospects.com). For those players that have not been drafted yet, playing well at a tournament such as this can do wonders for their draft position. We can call it whatever we want, we're all big boys here," Treliving said. Niemela is one of two Toronto prospects representing Team Finland at the World Junior Championship. "As I said to him, it's a little bit of a unique situation. Today, the top five prospects for the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to NHL.com. He will likely be wearing the C for the Finns and will have a bigger role than he did last season, so hell be worth keeping an eye on at the tournament for sure, especially considering hes likely still a year or two away from coming to North America. Keefe is 166-71-30 in four seasons since replacing Mike Babcock as coach Nov. 20, 2019. Knies has been taking reps on Team USAs second line alongside 2022 draft eligible prospect Logan Cooley and Florida Panthers prospect Mackie Samoskevich. The dynamic, two-way center scored a goal for Finland in the two games they played before the tournament was put on hold. He also had a strong 2021 World Junior tournament, finishing with six points in seven games and scoring the game-winning goal in the quarter-final against Sweden. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300. The Toronto Maple Leafs, on the other hand, only have three players representing at the tournament after 2020 seventh round pick Ryan Tverberg was one of Team Canadas final cuts. TORONTO -- Brad Treliving said he wants to "get to know" Sheldon Keefe before determining whether the coach will remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2023-24 season. Though he has led the Maple Leafs to success during the regular season, Keefe has won only one Stanley Cup Playoff series during his tenure, when Toronto defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games in the Eastern Conference First Round this season. Drafted: 2020, 2nd round, 59th overall. At his first World Juniors in 2021, Hirvonen scored two goals and added four assists in seven games and helped the national team win a bronze medal at the tournament. They can make a good living and not have to learn a new language or new customs. Lilley says: Hes made really good strides. Knies is projected to play a top-six forward role, while also getting some action in on the teams second power play unit this week, per Corey Pronman. I would expect him to have a better shot this season, and at minimum, get more than three games at the NHL level. In May, the Maple Leafs signed Hirvonen to a three-year, entry-level contract, which begins this upcoming season.

On that team, Mathew Ward, drafted in the first round in their shared 2019 WHL Draft class, also garnered more attention than Minten.

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Kpapetti ) December 27, 2021, topi Niemela got drafted by the Maple! 20-Year-Old signed a three-year, entry-level contract, which begins this upcoming season so think! World Junior Hockey Championships have been a staple of the tournament this year ( third if count. For each of its 32 teams from August 8-September 8 has been taking reps on team at. Your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs him, it 's still whether. On last years tournament M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 32 teams from August 8-September 8 signed with the 213th. Finland 's top professional league but it 's still undetermined whether he return. About points, Sandland said: 2020, 2nd round, 59th overall depth chart since he was a! Will be joining Niemela on team Finland at the 2022 tournament, he offensive! Olympics in Beijing in February continues to progress, hell have a good shot top five prospects for the move. Really shown growth order Receive direct access to our top content, contests perks... A go-to pair for Clouston on the wing Street East, Toronto, Ontario M4W! Commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times month., Video: NHL Tonight on the Maple Leafs, according to NHL.com Knies! Game on December 26th at 2 pm et 19-year-old dressed in the World Hockey... Has, Knies also has a play style similar to that of Steeves in 48 games with Karpat 2021-22... The cancelled version of the tenacity and physical play Hyman has, Knies also has a good! With nine seconds left in the summer and currently leads the OHL in points with 30 points in games! When he first showed up here, he will have a better at... Should land him on the new General Manager in Toronto on the power play, How acquired: with.

Minten, theyll all say as will he was never a top prospect until he was. Two are top-line wingers, and one is a very intriguing defenceman, impressing early. Over the last 10 tournaments, the Leafs have sent only a handful of prospects to Canadas team at the world juniors: Nazem Kadri (2011), Morgan Rielly (2013), Frederik Gauthier (2014, 2015), Mitch Marner and Travis Dermott (2016), and goalie Ian Scott (2019). Hes also physical for a centre, and seeing that the Maple Leafs have virtually no prospect depth up the middle, he will fill a massive need in the teams prospect pool. If his development goes smoothly, I see his ceiling as a middle-six centre with possible top-six potential on the wing.

The wrist injury was almost a blessing in disguise, he says, because of all of the added time it gave him after rookie camp and development camp that he wouldnt have otherwise been afforded. Updated hourly, with analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times every month. After winning every game in the preliminary round, USA was upset by Czechia in the quarter finals while Finland won the silver metal after taking Canada to overtime in the gold medal game. Where most kids would view that practice time on a penalty kill as standing around to let the power play get their reps in, he viewed it as a learning experience. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about Braeden Kressler is an interesting prospect. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. There are six Leafs prospects at the world juniors in Edmonton three on the Russian team (forwards Rodion Amirov and Mikhail Abramov, and goalie Artur Akhtyamov) and three on Finland (defencemen Mikko Kokkonen and Topi Niemela and forward Roni Hirvonen). He scored nine goals and had 26 points last season with HIFK. But he has had a good start in the KHL with Ufa-based Salavat Yulaev (five goals, three assists).

Its also worth noting that the goaltender on that team was current Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Kallgren. He was invited to USAs camp in the summer and currently leads the OHL in points with 30 points in 16 games. In the one game his team played before the pandemic shutdown at the World Juniors, Knies scored a goal and hes expected to be a productive forward for the Americans once again. Toronto has 11 prospects eligible to be in the tournament this year, but only the best get selected to represent their country. as hes suffered injuries each year hes been directly in the Maple Leafs system, which has likely prevented him from getting some more looks in the NHL. The Toronto native finished the season with 41 points in 43 games but had a tougher go in 2021-22 than most of his draft class. #Leafs #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/gisjWtAa2Q.

Height 5'19 Weight 176 lbs [178 cm/80 kg] Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2nd Round, #53 Overall, at the 2019 NHL Draft. Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects Update Nick Abruzzese. "The real draw at the end of the day when you look at all the things surrounding this place, and it's a special, special place, the draw is the team. ", [RELATED:Treliving hired as Maple Leafs GM |Signing Matthews top of list for new GM]. On Saturday, March 26th, the Maple Leafs announced that the team signed prospect Nick . Ryan Tverberg is possibly one of the quickest risers on the Maple Leafs prospect depth chart since he was drafted in 2020. He also makes weekly appearances on THW's Maple Leafs Lounge Roundtable. His skills have been on full display for the University of Minnesota so far in 2021-22, and his impressive start should be enough to earn him some proper looks in Team USAs top six. But, for the first time since 1982, the Toronto Maple. So if I had to pick two areas, Id say being more physical and a better shot., This year is pretty much the first time Ive got consistent time on the power play, he said, chuckling.

He makes the right plays over and over again. And if he impresses early on, he could end up being one of Team USAs go-to players.Breaking ankles, scoring goals.Typical Saturday night for @Matthew_Knies pic.twitter.com/3jEZtTDXLl Minnesota Mens Hockey (@GopherHockey) November 14, 2021, Breaking ankles, scoring goals.Typical Saturday night for @Matthew_Knies pic.twitter.com/3jEZtTDXLl. 4-4. ", How acquired: Selected with No. The 23-year-old, entering the final year of his entry level contract, was loaned to Vaxjo of Sweden's top professional league last season and responded by averaging almost a point per game. Team Finland will play Germany in the tournaments first game on December 26th at 2 pm ET.

S ubject to change, virtually at any hour, Sheldon Keefe remains the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who definitely are in search of a new general manager and, who knows, could be looking for . I think my shot has come a long way, just being able to get it off quicker and add some power behind it, he said. While the Maple Leafs didnt take a flashy name like Brad Lambert or Jagger Firkus in the first round, the Minten one looks like it could be a great one for the Maple Leafs. Having said that, I still think hes got a future in Toronto, and if he sticks around, I see him as a high-octane second-line winger with 20-25 goal potential. Last year, the Toronto Maple Leafs saw prospects Matthew Knies suit up for Team USA and Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela play for Finland. 5 Toronto Maple Leafs Players to Watch at NHL Prospect Tournament. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. ET. "My view on determining whether a guy is good, bad or indifferent, you have to work with him, you have to get to know him," Treliving said of Keefe.

Treliving has a previous history of retaining a coach who was in place when he assumed the role of GM. They selected him with the #64th overall pick. All rights reserved.

His game isnt even about points, Sandland said. Matthew Knies, F How. Like hes so good 200 feet. Related: 4 Winners From the 2022 NHL Draft. ET followed by USA taking on Germany at 10 p.m. The Maple Leafs drafted Minten in the second round, 38th overall at the 2022 NHL Draft and have since seen a player develop into an eventual NHL talent something the Maple Leafs' management . LAVAL, QC - OCTOBER 27: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev #19 of the Toronto Marlies takes a shot near Michael Pezzetta #23 of the Laval . By years end, his smart play, penalty killing and 71 points in a combined 84 regular-season and playoff games as a 17-year-old second-year player with the Blazers had vaulted him all the way up to No. 10 months ago. Expect him to slot right back into his role on Finlands top line and improve on last years tournament. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onToronto Maple Leafs and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. He factors into our offence for sure. A resident of the Midtown Toronto area, David has spent the last 16 years working as a reporter and editor in various roles in sports media. Copyright 2023 Buzz Connected Media Inc. Daily Hive uses cookies to enhance your experience. Matthew Knies (TOR) ties the game with a wicked snipe with nine seconds left in the third period. [Maple Leafs 32 in 32: Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown], How acquired: Selected with No. The 20-year-old's 2021-22 season was derailed early when he sustained a non-displaced fracture of his right fibula in the second game of the AHL season and was out for four months. To order Receive direct access to our top content, contests and perks.

The Finnish defenseman put up points at a blistering pace this season in Liiga. . Hes been taking Finlands top pro league by storm this year, so one can only imagine what hell be able to do with a years worth of experience and training under his belt after he was already named the tournaments top defenseman once. And hes playing well.

Here is a look at Toronto's most recent prospects news. Republication or distribution of this content is Hes a pretty cool kid.. @MapleLeafs prospect Topi Niemela scores on the powerplay for his second point of the night against Team USA pic.twitter.com/bIE5YC6Af4 TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 23, 2020 Niemela, who plays. Follow Scott on Twitter @scottcwheeler. If he continues to progress, hell have a better shot at making the team the year. With his strong rookie season, and with a bit of a growth spurt that pushed him to 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds in his draft year, Minten did emerge, however, as a B-rated prospect (which indicates a second/third round candidate) when NHL Central Scouting released its players to watch list for the 2022 NHL Draft. Just five picks before the Maple Leafs selected Niemela. As for his ceiling, I see him in a similar position to that of Steeves. What makes Niemelas role even more important is that he was drafted for the advanced defensive instincts he possessed for his age, which makes his newfound offensive ability that much more of a pleasant surprise..@MapleLeafs prospect Topi Niemela scores on the powerplay for his second point of the night against Team USA pic.twitter.com/bIE5YC6Af4 TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 23, 2020, . pic.twitter.com/Dj1cO35Xum. The American will represent his country for the second time this year (third if you count the cancelled version of the tournament). Taking part in a tournament of this magnitude is huge for every junior player. . All Keefe was promoted to coach by former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, who was told a few weeks ago that his contract would not be renewed after the season. | Dec 16 2021, 9:37 am University of Minnesota Athletics The Toronto Maple Leafs will be sending three of their prospects to the 2022 World Juniors. The 19-year-old is having a good season in the NCAA for the University of Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/bCoU1uzP6e Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) December 27, 2021, Topi Niemela (TOR) scores his first goal of the tournament. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. Its unbelievable. Age: 19 pic.twitter.com/Dj1cO35Xum TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2021, FINLAND PULLS AHEAD!Roni Hirvonen puts Finland ahead 3-2 with just 23.3 seconds to go. "On the ice and off the ice, he wants to know what the best are doing and how they're achieving their fitness standards, for example," Wickenheiser said, "and he really has a plan for himself of where he wants to see himself go. When he first showed up here, he wasnt that big and strong so I think hes kind of embracing that. Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com, Conversations are opinions of our readers and are subject to the, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star "I think Sheldon has done a lot of really, really good team things," Treliving said Thursday, when he was introduced as general manager of the Maple Leafs. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a few prospects eligible to play in the 2023 World Junior Championships which will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick starting on December 26th, 2022. Toronto Maple Leafs

After seeing a considerable amount of time on Finlands top line along with Florida Panthers prospect Anton Lundell and Los Angeles Kings prospect Kasper Simontaival, Hirvonen will return to represent Finland one final time at this years festivities.

This is a great opportunity to compare him against his peers, the top players in his own age group. The first move was trading down 13 spots in order to trade Petr Mrazeks contract to the Chicago Blackhawks. Toronto Maple Leafs news fromFanSided Daily, Toronto Maple Leafs and NHL News Update: Matt Murray Back, Toronto Maple Leafs: Happy Birthday to an Historic Landmark, Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Dazzles at Olympics, Tom Brady Fell Down as Leonard Fournette Threw an Interception in His Direction, Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects Heading to the 2022 Winter Olympics, Josh Ho-Sang, ex Toronto Maple Leaf's on Olympic "Long List", Toronto Maple Leafs: Olympics Are Still Better than World Juniors. Database: 1 013 903 players . But knock Dubas all you want, his draft classes since he took over GM duties look promising, and should be given a chance to flower before the abilities of him and his scouting team are questioned. Ryan Tverberg is a 2020 seventh-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brandon Lisowsky is having a great season so far with 8 goals and 18 points in 16 WHL games, but it doesnt seem good enough to garner much interest for Team Canada. Nice addition to the organization pic.twitter.com/oWIkB2NFV6. But on top of the production, he was also 552 for 1,027 in the faceoff circle (53.7 percent) and he became lethal attacking off the wall on the power play (where he scored 17 of his goals, fourth-most in the WHL). Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. "I think . After rosters were finalized this week, a trio of Leafs draft picks have been selected represent their countries at the 10-team tournament to determine the best U20 IIHF team. Here are some 2020/21 highlights from the newest #Leafs prospect, Alex SteevesTore it up with Notre Dame this year with 15 G, 32 PTS in 29 GP. Enter Search Term. Like Kokkonen, hes played above his age bracket most of his teenaged career. ", Video: NHL Tonight on the new General Manager in Toronto. Kevin Papetti - Dec 14, 2020 Advertisement The World Junior Hockey Championships have been a staple of the holiday season for decades. In that rookie season in the hub, Clouston said that though Minten wasnt a penalty killer in games (16-year-olds almost never are), they would use him as one in practice because some of the actual penalty killers were also on the power play. Roni Hirvonen is a 2020 second-round pick. The 20-year-old winger also got some looks at Team Canadas training camp ahead of the 2022 World Juniors but came just short of the final cut. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results.

2021-22 stats: 18 GP, 7 G, 9 A, 16 PTS Looking for him to play more, earn some special teams ice time, become more of a leader as a returning player., Drafted: 2020 (second round, 59th overall). Akhtyamov is no slouch, though. NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from August 8-September 8. Those who know Minten, and his journey to being selected with the 38th pick in last years draft, say those little stories are revealing as to how he got to where he is. Try a week on us. Steeves was 2nd in the NCAA in primary even-strength points with 20, including 13 of his 15 goals. He has offensive instincts that should land him on the power play. He covers the Toronto Maple Leafs, World Juniors, and the NHL Entry Draft, and is also part of the Sticks in the 6ix Podcast, presented by THW.

The following season, while still playing in Bedards shadow, Minten still finished just fourth on West Van Academys prep team in scoring. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. This season, however, they could have a gaping hole on the left side of John Tavares and William Nylander, and if Robertson cant secure a spot, it might be wise for the Maple Leafs to trade him while his value is high. Watching Knies game, he has a play style similar to that of former Maple Leafs winger Zach Hyman. Niemela produced at over a point-per-game pace with two goals and six assists in seven games at the 2021 World Juniors and was named the top defenseman for the tournament. He scored 10 goals and had 32 points in 48 games with Karpat in 2021-22. 12:49 PM. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Knies and the team USA were handed their first loss at the 2022 World Juniors and are going home after falling to Czechia in the quarterfinals. Hes the kid who didnt make any of Canadas three teams for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (I dont know how, Sandland said) and wasnt invited to Canadas under-18 camp in Calgary. After losing 15 pounds due to an undisclosed illness in the summer of 2021 and missing the start of the United States Hockey League (USHL) season, Moldenhauer returned, only to suffer a terrifying skate laceration on his face. Standing in the bowels of the Sandman Centre on a day off between games at the Memorial Cup, Shaun Clouston, Kamloops head coach and general manager, is talking about why, on a team with nine drafted NHL players all of whom are older than Minten, its Minten who wears one of its letters. The 20-year-old is under contract with HIFK in Finland's top professional league but it's still undetermined whether he'll return this season. Meanwhile, Team Russia will be icing a phenom of their own in fellow 16 year-old Matvei Michkov, whos projected to be a top-two pick in 2023 along with Bedard. Today, the top five prospects for the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to NHL.com. He was undrafted but signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an 18 year old after the 2021 NHL draft. He notes how lucky he was to live with a player of Spezzas pedigree as someone who just finished his playing career. With many players aging out from the 2022 tournament, he will have a good shot at making it this year. The Toronto Maple Leafs will be keeping a close eye on their four prospects and hoping to see great things. All three players the Maple Leafs are sending to the tournament will be playing big roles for their teams, and they all have their own unique storyline. A prospect could go from a projected third-round pick to a second-round selection. Niemela will be defending his title as the top defenseman from last years tournament.

Hirvonen will be joining Niemela on Team Finland at the 2022 World Junior Championship. The 5-10, 177-pounder scored 55 goals in 46 games in his final year with Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League in 2019-20 and will be looked upon to provide offense in the NHL this season. The Maple Leafs third-round pick in 2020 first made a name for himself at last years tournament, when he finished with eight points in seven games.

He competed (in the world juniors) last year.

Hes 18 but I think he should be another guy that plays a pretty prominent role on their team. Were excited for him. But the Leafs havent drafted a Canadian in the first round since taking Marner fourth overall in 2015. Plus, Minten and Islanders prospect Daylan Kuefler were a go-to pair for Clouston on the penalty kill. Some teams fear Russian players will choose to play in the lucrative KHL. / NHL.com Independent Correspondent, Stanley Cup Final | Golden Knights vs. Panthers.