Niemelä and Hirvonen singed to ELCs

[Deebo]

https://twitter.com/mapleleafs/status/1525128952511070209

[Highlander]

I removed my post as I see they will both start with the Marlies next season.

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/joshuakloke/status/1526621505068613633

[L K]

Very outside shot of Hirvonen cracking the roster.   I can't see it with Niemela.  Too bad they aren't coming to North America to play.  I would really like to see the team being a little more aggressive in trying to get their prospects to North America.  Having some decent college/European prospects who haven't played for the Marlies let alone the Leafs keeps pushing developmental timelines back. 

I like some of our prospect pool but it's guys drafted in the last 2-3 years who are still 2-3 years away from contributing.  Clock is ticking on that one.

[herman]

I wait with bated breath for Tyler Kleven news.

[Frank E]

Very outside shot of Hirvonen cracking the roster.   I can't see it with Niemela.  Too bad they aren't coming to North America to play.  I would really like to see the team being a little more aggressive in trying to get their prospects to North America.  Having some decent college/European prospects who haven't played for the Marlies let alone the Leafs keeps pushing developmental timelines back. 

I like some of our prospect pool but it's guys drafted in the last 2-3 years who are still 2-3 years away from contributing.  Clock is ticking on that one.

I'm with you in that it seems the road to the Leafs roster for non-first round talent is through the Marlies...even Sandin and Liljegren went through there as first rounders.

I wonder maybe if their lack of size might be the issue, so let them play in Finland again for another year of physical growth.

[CarltonTheBear]

I'd have liked to see them in the AHL mostly just because I think the Marlies could definitely use them but I think the whole idea that prospects are worse off playing in Europe is pretty overblown.

[L K]

I'd have liked to see them in the AHL mostly just because I think the Marlies could definitely use them but I think the whole idea that prospects are worse off playing in Europe is pretty overblown.

That's fair.  AHL production doesn't necessarily translate to the NHL either but having guys performing in the AHL also means they are just a phone call away from boosting the NHL roster.  Guys playing in Europe can't.   I'm not expecting either player to really be NHL ready next year either way but they aren't an option for the organization if they are in Europe even if they were having a stellar season.

[bustaheims]

That's fair.  AHL production doesn't necessarily translate to the NHL either but having guys performing in the AHL also means they are just a phone call away from boosting the NHL roster.  Guys playing in Europe can't.   I'm not expecting either player to really be NHL ready next year either way but they aren't an option for the organization if they are in Europe even if they were having a stellar season.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, either. That way, we know for sure they're not bein brought up before their ready. An extra year of uninterrupted development can't hurt and it certainly can help.

[Guilt Trip]

https://twitter.com/joshuakloke/status/1526621505068613633

I listened to the presser and Dubas never said they'd be loaned back. He said they will be offered back to their clubs because it's part of the transfer agreement between the NHL and European Clubs. If the kids want to stay and play with the Marlies, they can. Just like Semyonov this season. Not in the NHL he can go back.

And to add he thinks Pontus Holmberg will challenge for a spot with the Leafs along with a few others.

[CarltonTheBear]

I listened to the presser and Dubas never said they'd be loaned back. He said they will be offered back to their clubs because it's part of the transfer agreement between the NHL and European Clubs. If the kids want to stay and play with the Marlies, they can. Just like Semyonov this season. Not in the NHL he can go back.

"Finally, with Hirvonen and Niemela, because of their transfer agreements, both have to be offered back to their respective teams in Karpat and Helsinki. That will be the situation there unless they make the NHL roster."

When Semyonov signed with the Leafs he was a total free agent and didn't have a contract with any European team. His NHL deal included an European Assignment Clause that gives the player the ability to return to Europe and find a team there to play with if he isn't in the NHL, and eventually he decided to trigger that clause.

Hirvonen and Niemela both currently have contracts with their Finnish league teams for 22/23. The transfer agreement between the NHL and European leagues stipulates that at this point the Leafs can only poach them from those deals if they are in the NHL. If not, they need to honour the contracts they signed back home. It's a completely different thing from Semyonov's European Assignment Clause, which was an individually negotiated agreement between him and the Leafs.

[Guilt Trip]

Thx for the clarification. I didn't know they are signed overseas next season.