Three shortcomings you often find on these boards....
1) Many don't have a strong enough appreciation for how difficult it is to put up points in the top Euro men's leagues, how veterans normally get top 6 minutes, PP time etc.
2) Many don't realize how hard it is for a kid to produce at the WJC in their draft season. Fantilli got crucified in this forum during the 2022-23 WJC even though he was having one of the best NCAA true freshman seasons of all-time.
3) Many get hypnotized by CHL and USA-NTDP stats. I can't wait to see posters thinking they're getting a W for comparing Eiserman's WU18 tournament stats to Helenius' WC stats in a few weeks.
I guarantee it will happen.
Helenius was #8 on Bobby Mac's mid-term poll of NHL scouts rankings. With the upward trajectory his game has taken, the consistent production, the huge playoffs and now with him on the verge of making Team Finland at the Worlds...I see him going up a few spots in that same year-end poll.