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"A lot" to like about Topi Niemelä's development as an offensive star at the World Juniors
"A lot" to like about Topi Niemelä's development as an offensive star at the World Juniors
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That was good enough to move Niemelä, the Toronto Maple Leafs third-round pick in last October's draft, to the top of the leaderboard in defensive scoring alongside Team USA's Cam York. Both prospects have six points, but Niemelä has two goals, and that's the tie-breaker. So I asked Finland's head coach Antti Pennanen what makes Niemelä so effective.
"Also, he’s improved his game a lot since last season, and especially his defensive skills have improved a lot.
Where it was once just enough for Niemelä to hold his own for Kärpät, holding down a defensively oriented third-pairing role in the Finnish Liiga -- no small feat -- he's now thriving, taking chances and getting more involved in his team's offence, too. He's already about halfway to last season's high of seven points with three assists, and Niemelä's done it in 34 fewer contests.
He’s looking more confident, activating more often, and not always settling for quick shots from the point.
Niemelä is asserting himself offensively more than ever, but he's not skimming anything off of the top of his stout defensive profile to make it happen.
"Also, he’s improved his game a lot since last season, and especially his defensive skills have improved a lot.
Where it was once just enough for Niemelä to hold his own for Kärpät, holding down a defensively oriented third-pairing role in the Finnish Liiga -- no small feat -- he's now thriving, taking chances and getting more involved in his team's offence, too. He's already about halfway to last season's high of seven points with three assists, and Niemelä's done it in 34 fewer contests.
He’s looking more confident, activating more often, and not always settling for quick shots from the point.
Niemelä is asserting himself offensively more than ever, but he's not skimming anything off of the top of his stout defensive profile to make it happen.