The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by members of the Die By The Blade community. 92 readers ranked Buffalo Sabres players under the age of 25 as of August 1, 2026. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production to rank each player.
Topias Leinonen
Drafted: 2022 – 2nd Round (41st Overall)
Position: Goalie
Born: January 25th, 2004 – 22 Years Old
2025-2026 stats: AHL – 3-3-0, 3.48 GAA, .855 SV%. ECHL: 3-1-1, 3.24 GAA, .880 SV%.
2025 T25U25 Ranking: 24
Topias Leinonen was looking to build on a solid development year in 2024-2025 and use that momentum to spur the beginning of his North American career. With a crowded crease in Rochester, it was a struggle for him to find playing time in the AHL. A lower body injury sidelined him in early December that kept him out through January. He was assigned to the Jacksonville Icemen in February where he appeared in 5 games.
The 2024-2025 season is starting to look like the outlier when it comes to Leinonen’s health. He’s struggled to stay healthy in nearly every season since being the first goalie drafted in 2022. The lack of ice time has severely limited his career development. This lack of growth is reflected in our rankings as he once again takes the 24th spot.
If, and that’s a massive “if”, he can stay healthy, Leinonen should have the opportunity for more consistent ice time this year. There is one less goalie prospect in the organization after the trade of Devon Levi. Hopefully Leinonen can seize the opportunity and put a full season of on ice development on his resume.