The Toronto Maple Leafs have been serious Stanley Cup contenders for the last few years. Being contenders comes with the price of not having high-end draft picks. However, the Leafs have done a good job of drafting prospects in the latter rounds of the draft.
Roni Hirvonen:
Hirvonen is a player that was selected 59th overall by the Maple Leafs during the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Hirvonen is regarded as a high-end prospect that has excelled at every junior level he has played at.
Most recently, the forward represented Team Finland at the 2022 IIHF WJC, where he was named captain. The Leafs prospect played on the Finnish top line and recorded seven points in seven games.
Hirvonen is currently playing for HIFK Helsinki of the Finnish Liiga, although he is under contract with the Maple Leafs. Last season with the Finnish squad, Hirvonen put up a solid 26 points in 46 games.
The 59th overall pick is regarded as a high-end playmaker. He finds the seams to set up his teammates. He is undersized but plays with grit and determination.
Topi Niemela
Niemela was a third-round selection by the Maple Leafs during the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Like fellow teammate Roni Hirvonen, Niemela also hails from the country of Finland.
Niemela is by far the best junior defenseman in the Finnish organization. Niemela played at the 2022 IIHF WJC and was named an assistant captain. Niemela played big minutes for the silver medalling Finland team and chipped in with six points in seven games.
The third-round pick broke out playing for Karpat in the Finnish Liiga last season. Playing against experienced competition, the youngster put up 32 points in 48 games. That's pretty good for a 19-year-old!
Niemela is on the brink of transitioning to the North American ice, although he is likely to be loaned back out to Finland, then make a brief AHL stint at the end of the year.
Nick Moldenhauer
Moldenhauer is arguably one of the biggest steals from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The Toronto third-round pick possesses high-end skill and offensive talent.
Unfortunately, for Moldenhauer, he missed a big chunk of time due to numerous scary and unfortunate injuries. But when healthy, the forward is a player that can light up the net.
Last season, playing for the Chicago Steel of the USHL, Moldenhauer put up 43 points in 41 games. He is a player that did not get the full opportunity to showcase and develop his game, but will have the opportunity within the Leafs organization.
Matthew Knies
Knies was selected by the Maple Leafs 57th overall during the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He is regarded as a heavy, physical forward who plays with skill and a lot of power. Knies already has an NHL body, standing in at 6'3'' and weighing in at 205 pounds.
The second-round pick spent last season playing for the University of Minnesota in the NCAA. Where, the youngster was second on his team, with 33 points in 33 games.
Knies was also chosen to represent Team USA at the recent Olympics and for the 2022 World Juniors. At the World Juniors, the power-forward scored three points.
The Leafs prospect will play another season at the University of Michigan, but it is likely we will see him in the Leafs organization once his NCAA season ends.
In Conclusion
For the past few years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been strong Stanley Cup candidates. The cost of being contenders is giving up premium draft picks. The Leafs have done well to select prospects in the later rounds of the draft, though.