The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. Topi Niemela is one season into his professional career in North America, and he's ready to see where this next year takes him. Niemela, a third-round pick (64th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, appeared in 68 AHL games with the Toronto Marlies last season and scored eight goals and 31 assists for 39 points while playing top minutes and being a big part of their special teams. The 22-year-old could always be spotted on the Marlies power play, whether it be on the first or second unit. He was a massive piece of the team's success last year as they snuck into the Calder Cup Playoffs. Niemela is one of Toronto's top defensive prospects approaching an NHL opportunity, alongside the likes of Cade Webber and Mikko Kokkonen, who both spent time with the big club last season in some way, shape or form. However, this season could be when Niemela finally gets his chance at the NHL level. "Of course, I try to get better [as a] player and take the next step on my career. That's the big thing," the defenseman said before he was asked if he had his eyes set on the next level. "It's hard to say. There's a lot of good teammates and I just try to battle with them and against them, so we will see." Niemela spent his offseason at home in Finland, working on the aspects of his game that he wants to improve ahead of this season. He also skated with new Maple Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa a few times this summer. "I was trying to of course get more power, get stronger and working on my shooting and some details on the ice," he said. However, the defender wasn't ready to reveal how much stronger he got. "I got stronger, but yeah, we'll see," Niemela said with a smile. The Oulu, Finland, native will push to land a spot on the Maple Leafs roster at some point this season. With how he's performed throughout the last year, it's clear he's earned a brief audition. But when that might be is difficult to predict. All of that will have to come after Niemela shows continued progress in the areas where it'll be needed when he moves up to the Maple Leafs. As Marlies head coach John Gruden points out, it's continuing to grow confidence and be strong in his own end. "Well, he continues to grow, understanding what it's like to be a pro. He's had a couple years now. He was really good for us last year, understanding what is gonna work for him and how to be the best version of him. He can move the puck, he's smart," Gruden said on Thursday. "But defending and making sure that he's playing in his own end and making that first good pass is what's gonna continue to have him develop and play it at a higher level." His first in-game showing will be in Montreal this weekend as the Maple Leafs' prospects face the Canadiens' prospects in a two-game showdown inside the Bell Center. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Fans Speculate as Maple Leafs Tease New Social Media Profile Picture Across Platforms and at Scotiabank Arena With 'O's' Missing [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/fans-speculate-as-maple-leafs-tease-new-social-media-profile-picture-across-platforms-and-at-scotiabank-arena-with-os-missing] 'Why Would They Not Give (William) Nylander Another Look At Center?’: Could the Swede be the Key to the Maple Leafs' Depth Down the Middle? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-would-they-not-give-william-nylander-another-look-at-center-could-the-swede-be-the-key-to-the-maple-leafs-depth-down-the-middle-] 'I Expect Only The Best For Me': Maple Leafs Goaltending Prospect Dennis Hildeby Ready For Second Season with Marlies, Not Thinking of NHL Future [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-expect-only-the-best-for-me-maple-leafs-goaltending-prospect-dennis-hildeby-ready-for-second-season-with-marlies-not-thinking-of-nhl-future] News from THN.com NHL's Top Issues Facing Vancouver Canucks: The Next Step, Thatcher Demko and Elias Pettersson [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhls-top-issues-facing-vancouver-canucks-the-next-step-thatcher-demko-and-elias-pettersson] Eight More NHL Goalies with New Creative Masks Ahead of the 2024-25 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/news/eight-more-nhl-goalies-with-new-creative-masks-ahead-of-the-2024-25-season] 'Universally Adored': Blue Jackets Players, GM Express Grief At Loss of Johnny Gaudreau, Brother [https://thehockeynews.com/news/universally-adored-blue-jackets-players-gm-express-grief-at-loss-of-johnny-gaudreau-brother]
