Topi Niemela's Agent Responds to Rumours That His Client Wants Out of Leafs Organization

Early Monday morning, multiple reports indicated that Topi Niemela was leaving the Leafs organization to play in the Swedish Hockey League.

The news caught many by surprise given the timing in the middle of both the SHL and AHL seasons.

However, since the original reports had surfaced, Niemela's agent, Mika Rautakallio, quickly shot down those rumours when he was reached out to for comment.

Although his agent confirmed he wasn't leaving North America, he did stop short of saying he would continue playing within the Leafs' organization.

A once highly-touted, puck-moving defenseman that plays the right side, under the Brad Treliving regime, Niemela is an outsider given his stature at 6'0 and 180-pounds, but he remains a smooth skater and has improved defensively since the start of last year.

Despite improving defensively, if the 22-year-old is unable to elevate his game as suggested by Leafs Assistant GM Hayley Wickenheiser, finding a spot for him in the NHL will be extremely difficult.

In the final season of his entry-level deal, Niemela has been surpassed by the likes of Marshall Rifai, Philippe Myers and even journeyman Dakota Mermis on the Leafs' depth chart, all of which are much bigger, stronger and more physical than the former third-round pick.

Niemela very well could be used as a sweetener in a trade to help shore up the Maple Leafs roster at the deadline or at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, but he's also young enough that there's still some time to figure things out and improve his overall game.