The Buffalo Sabres chose right-handed center Konsta Helenius as the No. 14 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Helenius, 18, scored 14 goals and 36 points in 51 games for Jukurit in Liiga during the 2023-24 season. The native of Ylöjärvi, Finland, also played seven games for Team Finland at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording one goal and two points.
According to Steven Ellis from Daily Faceoff, who ranked Helenius 12th in his final 2024 NHL Draft rankings, Helenius has the potential to be a center in the NHL despite playing some wing this year.
He is a dependable, two-way forward and had one of the most impressive seasons for a U-18 player in Finland’s top league. Although his performances at the U-18s and World Championship were somewhat underwhelming, his ability to excel against adult players demonstrates his capacity to compete both physically and mentally. Standing at 5-foot-11, Helenius doesn’t let his size hinder him, showcasing resilience and physical play. His hockey intelligence is among the best in this draft class, and he effectively leverages his skills to outplay opponents.
In his draft-minus-one season, Helenius played for Jukurit and Tappara in the Finnish U-20 league, scoring 28 points in 19 games as a 16-year-old. The 5’11”, 190-pound center has accumulated two goals and 13 points in 10 games for Team Finland across the last two IIHF U-18 World Championships.
The Sabres ended the 2023-24 season with a 39-37-6 record, totaling 84 points and placing 22nd in the league.
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