Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - It appears the table is set for Konsta Helenius to make his impact in the Buffalo Sabres organization sooner rather than later.
According to a social media post from his Finnish club, Tappara Tampere, on Monday, the Sabres' 2024 first-round pick is looking to secure a roster spot either in Buffalo at the NHL level, or in Rochester with the Americans at the AHL level.
The team concluded its post by wishing the 18-year-old best of luck on his journey.
Helenius ended up falling to the Sabres at the 14th overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft this past June in Las Vegas.
As a 17-year-old playing in Finland during his draft year, Helenius was able to forge a pivotal spot for himself in the top professional league playing with Jukurit. He even spent most of his age 16 season playing professionally in Finland amongst many grizzled veterans.
This past season, Helenius produced 36 points (14+22) in 51 games played, which is some of the best production from any prospect coming out of Finland during their draft year. Only Aleksander Barkov and Patrik Laine put up better points per-game numbers in their draft year in the Finnish Liiga.
Helenius also participated in both the Under-18 and Under-20 World Junior Championship this past year for Finland. In five games played in the U-18 tournament, he recorded seven assists. In seven games at the World Juniors in Sweden, he recorded a goal and an assist.
Over 84 games in two seasons with Jukurit, Helenius combined to produce 47 points (17+30).
Had Helenius returned to Finland to play with Tappara this upcoming season, he would have joined the most successful professional team in Finland with championships won in three-straight years.
After the 2024 NHL Draft, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said he envisions Helenius developing and playing in the NHL as a center. He joins an already stacked group of players that could find their way to the league at center, including Isak Rosen, Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, Anton Wahlberg and Tyson Kozak.
The Sabres will next take the ice for the annual Sabres Prospects Challenge, starting Sept. 13 at Harborcenter.
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