Buffalo Sabres Top 25 Under 25, #25: Viljami Marjala

The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by members of the Die By The Blade community. It was a combination of staff writers and over 200 readers that ranked Buffalo Sabres players under the age of 25 as of August 1, 2023. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production to rank each player. Staff votes counted equally with reader votes.

Viljami Marjala

Drafted: 2021, 5th round, 159th overall
Position: Left Wing
Born: January 29, 2003
2022-2023 stats: TPS – 15 GP – 4-5-9, +2 / TPS U20 – 32 GP – 18-33-51, +29, 14 PIM
2022 T25U25 Ranking: Not Ranked In Top 25

After two seasons in North America where he put up 86 points in 116 games, Marjala returned to his native Finland this past season. He spent most of the season with TPS’ U20 team and led the team in points, goals and assists as one of just two NHL-drafted players. 

Viljami Marjala (#20) takes the draw and does some nice puck hounding to force the turnover and get the second helper. TPS U20 leads Pelicans 1-0 at the 1st intermission. pic.twitter.com/HLUr017pEq

— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) December 17, 2022

In 15 games with TPS’ Liiga team, Marjala put up nine points. There, he played alongside fellow NHL draftees Mikael Pyyhtiä (CBJ), Antti Tuomisto (DET), Valtteri Pulli (SJS) and Kalle Väisänen (NYR).

Earlier this year, DBTB reader BuffaloBuckeye ranked Marjala as a B – High Ceiling prospect, with a chance to become a contributor, but also with flaws that could keep him out of the NHL. His numbers at the junior level with TPS showcase him as a standout player on a young team, while his limited glimpse at the pro level show definite offensive potential.

Viljami Marjala (20) wins the draw, seconds later applies stick pressure to force the turnover and get the goal to give TPS U20 a 2-0 lead on IHFK. Marjala has been a dominant offensive figure at the U20 level, and has performed well when called upon for Liiga duty. pic.twitter.com/z6iXpE3Xvh

— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) March 8, 2023

He also represented Finland at the World Juniors, notching two points in five games. Prior to the draft, scouts hailed Marjala as a “a sturdy dual-threat winger with an excellent shot and a low center of gravity” but also noted that he didn’t shoot often. Similar reports suggested he often focused more on setting up teammates than scoring himself.

Marjala is set to return to TPS for the upcoming season, and the team has already begun its preseason. Earlier this summer, he had a few goals at development camp as part of Team Robert. Contract-wise, the Sabres have until June 1, 2025 to sign him, per CapFriendly.

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