Points aren’t everything for a defenceman but we’ve been needing more points from the blue line for years and it looks to me like Topi could be that guy. I’m a big fan of Niemelä, I had him 5th in my list (higher than any of the PPP voters ranked him), and while I don’t expect him to be a star I still see a solid NHL career in his future and I’m excited to see how he improves this coming season.
jimmymeeko
Reading some of the reasonings for his rankings has me confused. D men, other than blue chip prospects, often take longer than forwards to develop and be ready for the NHL. The leafs have also been in win now mode trying to make playoff runs.
I don’t think it’s very troubling at all that the 22 year old defensive prospect is developing in the minors and there haven’t been rumours about him being called up… there has not been the opportunity or the need for him. I hope they let him marinate for most of this season in the AHL as well. 23 and producing in the AHL as a d man isn’t the end of the road for a prospect by any means…
Exact-Appointment510
I think one of the judges put it best. RHD is going to be a position (ESPECIALLY on the Leafs) that you will pay attention to in the pipeline. And, due to him being a couple years into NA development and receiving focus from the Marlies, he will be in the top 10. BUT, it doesn’t mean he will be an effective NHL defenseman, that he will be likely to make the team this year or that his future is in the NHL. I think the consensus is that he has been underwhelming since being drafted.
3 Comments
Points aren’t everything for a defenceman but we’ve been needing more points from the blue line for years and it looks to me like Topi could be that guy. I’m a big fan of Niemelä, I had him 5th in my list (higher than any of the PPP voters ranked him), and while I don’t expect him to be a star I still see a solid NHL career in his future and I’m excited to see how he improves this coming season.
Reading some of the reasonings for his rankings has me confused. D men, other than blue chip prospects, often take longer than forwards to develop and be ready for the NHL. The leafs have also been in win now mode trying to make playoff runs.
I don’t think it’s very troubling at all that the 22 year old defensive prospect is developing in the minors and there haven’t been rumours about him being called up… there has not been the opportunity or the need for him. I hope they let him marinate for most of this season in the AHL as well. 23 and producing in the AHL as a d man isn’t the end of the road for a prospect by any means…
I think one of the judges put it best. RHD is going to be a position (ESPECIALLY on the Leafs) that you will pay attention to in the pipeline. And, due to him being a couple years into NA development and receiving focus from the Marlies, he will be in the top 10. BUT, it doesn’t mean he will be an effective NHL defenseman, that he will be likely to make the team this year or that his future is in the NHL. I think the consensus is that he has been underwhelming since being drafted.