Konsta Helenius played against adults in Finland prior to being selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round last June, so the decision was made to continue his maturation against adult competition in the American Hockey League this season. That choice appears to have been the right one, as the 19-year-old was named to the AHL’s Top Prospects Team on Wednesday.
Helenius finished his debut in North America with 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 65 games with the Rochester Americans, and stepped up his level of performance in the Calder Cup Playoffs, with six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in eight playoff games.
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The Sabres were fortunate at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas a year ago this month after trading down three slots with the San Jose Sharks the day before the draft to garner an extra second-round pick. At #11, the Sharks selected defenseman Sam Dickinson, who had a 91-point season with the Memorial Cup winning London Knights of the OHL. Minnesota chose blueliner Zeev Buium 12th overall, who won gold with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships.
Dickinson, Buium and 13th overall pick Jett Luchanko (Philadelphia’s top pick) are excellent prospects. Helenius was thought of by many draft analysts as the most pro-ready forward next to top pick Macklin Celebrini after playing last season in the Finnish SM-Liiga, and for Finland at the Under-18’s, World Junior Championships and World Championships. Although it would be unwise to rush Helenius to the NHL, it is encouraging that he was able to adjust to the North American game so quickly, and the Sabres will likely give him a long look at training camp in September.
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