Quoting: CakeEaterBanks
Niemela is one the best D prospects. His production hasn’t been the same as last year but his overall has improved. Last year he had more o-zone starts in Karpat and this years he’s playing as their number 1 dman and plays in all zones.
Plus it’s an organizational need for Philly. They don’t really have any RHD prospects upcoming.
Partly true, (Samson and Attard are their best 2 RD, and both are looking real good, but they have Andrae, York, Zamula, etc... at LD and one of them might be converted. York is playing RD right now and deangelo, ristolinen are signed beyond this year at RD, and their entire defense is 28 yrs old or less), so its not like they are desperate to move an above average NHLer for a prospect, even if youre a true believer in Niemala.
Its also the type of game and player is, Laughton is worth that and more, he is a goodrow/coleman type player, but signed at a good rate for multiple years unlike those 2, and PHI doesn;t have to sell him, his contract/age fit in well with a rebuild/re-tool/etc... Along with Koneckny, PHI would have to be wow'ed by an offer. And thats not it.
I think TOR would have to add a substantial piece or 2, 2024 2nd or a upper midlevel prospect like a Steeves or Robertson. And even then you're counting on PHI really NEEDING Niemala