Toronto Maple Leafs & Brad Treliving Urged to Trade One of Their Most Promising Prospects
With the trade deadline approaching, the Toronto Maple Leafs are actively looking to improve their roster before the playoffs.
While the focus has been on potential additions, we will now discuss Topi Niemelä emerging as a trade candidate.
Topi Niemela could be the best trade candidate for the Toronto Maple Leafs
He was once considered considered a top defensive prospect for the Leafs, but Topi Niemelä's development has stalled in the last few years.
The defenseman had an impressive 2023-24 AHL season with 8 goals, 31 assists in 68 games but has struggled in 2024-25 with only 12 assists and no goals.
Under Brad Treliving and Craig Berube, the Leafs have prioritized size and physicality where Niemelä doesn't excel.
Under GM Brad Treliving, the team has looked to add grit and size to the back end, so the six-foot Niemelä has been slightly lost in the shuffle.
He has also taken a step back production-wise with the Marlies while not showing a ton of progress with and without the puck, either."
Additionally, with over $20M already committed to their top-four defensemen, the Toronto Maple Leafs may see Niemelä as expendable since he doesn't seem part of their long-term plans.
A reasonable return for Niemelä would be a third or fourth-line center with defensive ability and playoff experience.
One option could be San Jose's Luke Kunin who fits the Leafs' needs and could be acquired with Topi Niemelä plus a draft pick.
Niemelä stays a skilled and intelligent defenseman but Toronto's system and priorities have shifted in the last years.
While he might not have a future with the Leafs, he could still develop into a solid NHL player elsewhere.
