F Konsta Helenius (2024, 14th, BUF)

[Erikfromfin]

Right shot right winger. A skating machine flies past opponents down the wing also has good hands and goalscorers shot and finishing abilities also works hard defensivily. Top Finns for 2024 Draft.
Konsta Helenius at eliteprospects.com

Late but couple clips from Pohjola and Germany games

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[Xirik]

I see a bit of Nico Hischier in his game, Smaller then the Prototypical center but using a combination of smarts, tenacity, and using all of their body to fight for pucks along the boards.

If he was a little bit bigger he would a lock for the top 5 of the draft especially since Center depth is lacking in this draft.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I think it's less nationality, specifically, and more league-ish, or should I say Liiga.

Full disclosure, I think Liiga hockey is garbage to watch, an eyesore with no rhyme or reason. It's as if Finnish HCs saw a game of the NHL dead puck era and thought that was way too wild for them. Pacing in particular is not up to par with modern NHL.

Having said such, a good scout will still do their best to isolate the player from the situation. If Helenius plays at a far faster pace than Liiga usually does, for instance, then that's a positive sign.

Players that you mentioned, for the most part, are not the most creative and/or quick thinkers. Kakko has excellent board play and puck protection and Laine had terrific hands and shots to work with, but even they never fully became what their production suggest they could become (small * on Laine though).

Ironically the best prospect to come out of Liga in recent years wasn't even a Finn!

 

[LaMasquerade]

Yep, not his greatest game, but these happen with teenagers (outside Bedard/McDavid class superstars). He definitely needs to bulk up and was clearly feeling uncomfortable against quite physical Norwegians. Unfortunately refs missed one quite clear kneeing which unsettled him even more.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Ironically the best prospect to come out of Liga in recent years wasn't even a Finn!

Even more ironically he didn't play that well in Liiga! Then he played pretty well in WHC and now he's pretty great in the NHL.

Rantanen played OK in Liiga, had to spend a season in the AHL and now he's one of the best forwards in the NHL.

Then there was Kakko who played great in Liiga and in the WHC and degraded into a 4th line forward in the NHL.

And Kotkaniemi who was pretty meh in Liiga (Points would say otherwise but he really was not good) and turned out to be meh in NHL too!

And Miro Heiskanen who looked great in Liiga & was great in the NHL from the word go.

And Barkov who was great in Liiga but took two seasons in the NHL to get going.

It's almost like prospect development and adaptability for the NA ice are unpredictable & you can't just add up the league + the points and use those as some sort of a predictor! What!


To get back to Helenius, I concur with people above. He looks to me like the kind of a middle-six center any competing team needs; Capable offensively, responsible defensively, able to drive his line and is ready to battle for the puck. I hope he pans out.

 

[Svedu]

Some highly drafted Finn forwards (thinking Laine, Kakko, Kotkaniemi, and Puljujarvi) have failed to live up their potential recently, is it possible any of this reflects on Helenius as a potential top 10 pick? Obviously a good player/1st round pick, but nothing explodes off the page to me either.

Rantanen would've been last full value top 10 forward pick and that was almost a decade ago. Heiskanen if you include D (but countered by Juolevi/Ristolainen)

Not saying it's fair to draw a line between players because of nationality, I just find it odd as an outsider/non-Finn, please feel free to educate me

These takes should be answered in a methodical way. Laine was always a huge talent and drafted rightfully in the second spot. His rookie season if anything was special and tells it all.
I dislike when people draw simple conclusions in their attempt to see similarities between different individuals. Unconsciously or not, that will only give you the answers you want to find. Not necessarily the correct one nor even the answers that you 'll have any use for.

Let's get it straight: Laine was very special. Could've been one of the best scorers if used in the best way. Why? No matter his weaknesses such as intensity, acceleration, engine and perhaps sometimes his effort. Not only did he possess a lethal, a completely lethal shot. He knew how and when to use it and how to find the needed space. PP-specialist or not, the absolute elite scoring level was there.
I mean both Kakko and Laine was much bigger prospects for me than say Slafkovsky and Wright. A whole other level. I mean just like Hughes and Matthews were and are something else compared to the prospects from the Slaf-draft. I mean Laine was and will always be more talented for me than Dubois. Make no mistake about it.
Also, when Finland won that gold medal in the WJC's 2016 it was clear that even if the roster was deep and good with Rantanen, Hintz and Aho capable to carry a line but it was even clearer that Laine was the ice cool scorer who could make the difference in PP and so on, Not Pulju, not Kapanen. And they were highly touted too.
It's another topic if you want to discuss mental health and what happened in his personal life and relations and how that eventually affected him and his career.
Just because you are talented, even elite, doesn't mean you will or can handle life's general downs and circumstances in a good way.

Kakko then? He was an absolute monster and a lot greater of a prospect than other high picks through the years when drafted. It's like your not taking any other factors in consideration. Even if Finnish prospects failed or not, that's the easiest and most incorrect conclusion you can draw.
He dominated the mens WC, a lot more than Slaf, and even Laine or Tolvanen and others. All of them great prospects. He played better than a lot of NHL pro's when he played in that gold winning team.
Not having the best circumstances in Rangers have been a factor, his character another etc. I can admit I don't believe Kakko and Juolevi have the most outspoken personalities. Laine on the other hand was something else. Tolvanen had some character to him as well.
But then again, send Kakko to play with a player with Ahos or Barkovs strengths and see what happens? I have a feeling Kakko could be one of the best wingers out there for these kind of centers to make them a winning line. Heck, give Lundell a winging Kakko and see what happens.
The point in writing this big mess? Everyone is different in some ways no matter the nationality. Both genes and your environment plays a part in how an individual manages himself in the end.

With that said. Helenius isn't on Laine nor Kakkos level at the same age but then again, he's a completely different player and the comparison isn't that interesting or telling. Therefor I would want to state it's a lot more interesting and relevant to compare to similar playing styles if anything.

 

[FinPanda]

These takes should be answered in a methodical way. Laine was always a huge talent and drafted rightfully in the second spot. His rookie season if anything was special and tells it all.
I dislike when people draw simple conclusions in their attempt to see similarities between different individuals. Unconsciously or not, that will only give you the answers you want to find. Not necessarily the correct one nor even the answers that you 'll have any use for.

Let's get it straight: Laine was very special. Could've been one of the best scorers if used in the best way. Why? No matter his weaknesses such as intensity, acceleration, engine and perhaps sometimes his effort. Not only did he possess a lethal, a completely lethal shot. He knew how and when ot use it and how to find the needed space. PP-specialist or not, the absolute elite scoring level was there.
I mean both Kakko and Laine was much bigger prospects for me than say Slafkovsky and Wright. A whole other level. I mean just like Hughes and Matthews were and are something else compared to the prospects from the Slaf-draft. I mean Laine was and will always be more talented for me than Dubois. Make no mistake about it.
Also, when Finland won that gold medal in the WJC's 2016 it was clear that even if the roster was deep and good that Rantanen, Hintz and Aho could carry a line and it was even clearer that Laine was the ice cool scorer who could make the difference in PP and so on, Not Pulju, not Kapanen. And they were highly touted too.
It's another topic if you want to discuss mental health and what happened in his personal life and relations and how that eventually affected him and his career.
Just because you are talented, even elite, doesn't mean you will or can handle life's general downs and circumstances in a good way.

Kakko then? He was an absolute monster and a lot greater of a prospect than other high picks through the years when drafted. It's like your not taking any other factors in consideration. Even if Finnish prospects failed or not, that's the most easiest and incorrect conclusion you can draw.
He dominated the mens WC, a lot more than Slaf, and even Laine or Tolvanen and others. All of them great prospects. He played better than a lot of NHL pro's when he played in that gold winning team.

Laine is definitely an example of that life is unpredictable and its more than just hockey.

 

[BusQuets]

Right now there are 3 possible Finnish Conn Smythe winners. 5 players in the top24 of playoff scoring. All players gone through Liiga development. How many other leagues can say the same? Certainly not swedish league.

If anything Liiga is better indication of NHL talent than most according to history. You have to also remember that it's a men's pro league so other players/teams affect your production and play much more so than in junior hockey where you can score via talent alone. Which is why it's maybe harder to assess potential.

Good example is Kasper Halttunen who had 1 point in 27 Liiga games. Went to OHL London Knights scored over ppg in regular season and is leading the playoff scoring now. Points aren't the end all for either direction in pro league which is why you pay your scouts to watch them.

 

[BusQuets]

It's easy to see why Jalonen decided to demote Helenius. He had couple risky cross-ice passes that didn't connect. Granlund has had those as well but he obviously has the longest leeway possible. It's a shame because i thought he had Granlund has some chemistry(certainly more than Granlund and Puustinen who can't seem to find each other at all so far) and Konsta had some great neutral zone plays that ended up in offensive zone pressure. Jalonen is there to win gold and not develop Helenius so it's understandable. If he gets another chance Helenius won't be throwing those cross-ice passes on blue line i think.

 

[Jukurit]

Helenius not in lineup against Austria.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Helenius not in lineup against Austria.

Helenius had multiple stages this year to kind of dispel the notion that his offensive upside isn't at the level it needs to be to be considered a top line forward and unfortunately, he hasn't taken that opportunity.

Someone will be very happy with this player where they get him and he may still get there, but as someone who has questioned the offensive ceiling, every time I've seen him in different environments, outside of Liiga play, and against varying junior levels of competition, he hasn't given me anything to say yeah that will really play at a high level in the NHL.

 

[vildurson]

Helenius had multiple stages this year to kind of dispel the notion that his offensive upside isn't at the level it needs to be to be considered a top line forward and unfortunately, he hasn't taken that opportunity.

Someone will be very happy with this player where they get him and he may still get there, but as someone who has questioned the offensive ceiling, every time I've seen him in different environments, outside of Liiga play, and against varying junior levels of competition, he hasn't given me anything to say yeah that will really play at a high level in the NHL.

I am thinking that he just usually takes some time to learn new environments, thats how his track record suggests at least.

Thats usually ok, not everybody can adopt immediately to changes around you.

Because he can not breeze through people with speed, he has to figure out what works and what does not work. One can always consider if this is going to be good enough for high end NHL levels and that is a valid point.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I am thinking that he just usually takes some time to learn new environments, thats how his track record suggests at least.

Thats usually ok, not everybody can adopt immediately to changes around you.

Because he can not breeze through people with speed, he has to figure out what works and what does not work. One can always consider if this is going to be good enough for high end NHL levels and that is a valid point.

That makes sense for cerebral player. Robert Thomas was a bit the same way and he has turned out great.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Helenius had multiple stages this year to kind of dispel the notion that his offensive upside isn't at the level it needs to be to be considered a top line forward and unfortunately, he hasn't taken that opportunity.

Someone will be very happy with this player where they get him and he may still get there, but as someone who has questioned the offensive ceiling, every time I've seen him in different environments, outside of Liiga play, and against varying junior levels of competition, he hasn't given me anything to say yeah that will really play at a high level in the NHL.

Not going to disagree it’s fair to question his offensive upside a bit but I don’t think him not lighting up the WC tells us much of anything. He’s a kid finishing out his 17 year old season. 99+% of prospects his age aren’t even in this tourney.

 

[LaMasquerade]

He’s a kid finishing out his 17 year old season. 99+% of prospects his age aren’t even in this tourney.

Yep, he is now literally the youngest Finland born player ever to play at this level.
That said, I have downgraded my personal enthusiasm a bit during this tourney.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Not going to disagree it’s fair to question his offensive upside a bit but I don’t think him not lighting up the WC tells us much of anything. He’s a kid finishing out his 17 year old season. 99+% of prospects his age aren’t even in this tourney.

I said multiple stages though.

He did well to produce in the Liiga but leaves you wondering what the offensive skills really are, so you'd naturally think that when he went down against his age group, he'd dominate or at least flash more of what he could maybe add into his game as he matures and gets comfortable.

His WJC was not good. Still draft eligibles don't always do well at that event, so you take that into account but you'd still want to see a bit more going down from men to U20.

He then had the U18s where all he did was put up PP points against weaker nations and had Teddy Stiga steal his lunch money in the game against the States. That's where you'd expect the flash and the offensive skills to come out of the box and again they didn't. Great passes to Hemming on the PP, I guess.

So this is the 3rd stage outside the Liiga, again, just like the WJC, it's not going to be a stage where you expect dominance but it's still another stage where you're looking for something and at a certain point maybe it isn't there.

 

[Jukurit]

Helenius might not even play anymore games at WC. Finland is in a tough spot now and might not even make quarter-finals. Every remaining point is precious and they can't babysit Helenius.

 

[LaMasquerade]

I know many of you don't agree, but I still think we are better with him than without.. but deniers, enjoy Austria-game like play.. no enthusiasm, fear, etc..

 

[austin63867]

Are people really going to lower their opinion on Helenius because he isn't a 1st line Center at one of the best international tournaments in Hockey? Maybe him being on the team was a mistake because people are being a little too reactionary that he isn't dominating a top quality tournament as a draft eligible.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Are people really going to lower their opinion on Helenius because he isn't a 1st line Center at one of the best international tournaments in Hockey? Maybe him being on the team was a mistake because people are being a little too reactionary that he isn't dominating a top quality tournament as a draft eligible.

So the U18s were beneath him but WCs are above him?

Is his nickname Goldilocks?

 

[LaMasquerade]

Is his nickname Goldilocks?

Well, he is blond, so he kind of looks the part?!

 

[FinPanda]

Are people really going to lower their opinion on Helenius because he isn't a 1st line Center at one of the best international tournaments in Hockey? Maybe him being on the team was a mistake because people are being a little too reactionary that he isn't dominating a top quality tournament as a draft eligible.

He is no Bedard or even Laine or Kakko. Kakko was drafted 2nd overlal. Helenius goes somewhere between 10-20 and will most likely end up being 2nd line center. He wasn't expected to dominate at the WHC.

 

[Nabrules]

Reminds me a bit of Trochek. Undersized but feisty. Not a mean as Trochek but probably a bit more skilled.

 

[Jukurit]

Are people really going to lower their opinion on Helenius because he isn't a 1st line Center at one of the best international tournaments in Hockey?

He's not even good enough to be in lineup. I think that's lowering people's opinion.

Maybe him being on the team was a mistake because people are being a little too reactionary that he isn't dominating a top quality tournament as a draft eligible.

He looked underwhelming playing against very weak teams. GB and Norway. Not top quality.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Are people really going to lower their opinion on Helenius because he isn't a 1st line Center at one of the best international tournaments in Hockey? Maybe him being on the team was a mistake because people are being a little too reactionary that he isn't dominating a top quality tournament as a draft eligible.

I don't think anyone has said they lowered their opinion, he just didn't do anything to help his stock at the tournament which is fine if it didn't immediately follow a poor U18 performance as well.

 

[Svedu]

He is no Bedard or even Laine or Kakko. Kakko was drafted 2nd overlal. Helenius goes somewhere between 10-20 and will most likely end up being 2nd line center. He wasn't expected to dominate at the WHC.

Good take.