OTP - Helenius Needs To Play Top-Six Center In Rochester Here is a quick update on the players selected in 2022 not currently in the NHL: Noah Ostlund – C – 16th overall The 20-year-old center had an excellent season in the SHL and for Sweden in the World Junior last December, and came over to North America and joined Rochester at the end of the AHL regular season. Playing wing for the Amerks, has scored a goal in three playoff games against Syracuse in the Calder Cup Playoffs. After playing wing for most of training camp and flashing some of his skill, Amerks head coach Michael Leone said that he would spot Ostlund at center sometimes, but an upper-body injury has derailed his first full AHL season. After missing nearly two months, he returned to the Rochester lineup on December 20, and so far has one goal in eight games. Topias Leinonen– G – 41st overall The big 20-year-old Finn lost most of last season due to injury, playing just eight games between his Liiga club (JyP) and KeuPa in the second-level Mestis league. Leinonen shifted to Sweden this season and is thriving with Mora IK as their primary starter in the second-level HockeyAllsvenskan, with a 10-5-0 record, 2.03 GAA, .919 save %, and three shutouts. Viktor Neuchev – LW – 74th overall After playing a full season in the KHL with Ekaterinburg Automobilst, Neuchev came to North America and started in Rochester in a depth role, but his role with the Amerks increased as the season progressed and the 21-year-old ended his rookie season with 28 points (11 goals,17 assists). This season, he is on pace to eclipse his rookie totals, with 18 points (5 goals, 13 assists) in 29 games. Vsevolod Komarov D - 134th overall The big right-handed Russian is finding his way in his first pro season, scoring six assists in 27 games, but he is throwing his weight around, as the rookie leads the Amerks with 36 penalty minutes. Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo [https://twitter.com/MikeInBuffalo]
