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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[Chainshot]

Sabres had this same issue before they even drafted him

They had a shortage of center projection and right shot forwards in general.

 

[ameselare]

They had a shortage of center projection and right shot forwards in general.

I mean from other teams' perspectives when they're looking at making trades. Buffalo already has to overpay in trades because they can't attract free agents but still need to fill certain roster spots with players they don't have internally. From an internal perspective they needed a guy like Helenius. But if you're another team looking at their depth chart, they have a lot of similar players already, and can't conceivably keep all of them.

It's probably more that Helenius was the right pick for them this year, but they should have made different picks in a previous draft(s), or traded a prospect or two when their value was a bit higher.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I mean from other teams' perspectives when they're looking at making trades. Buffalo already has to overpay in trades because they can't attract free agents but still need to fill certain roster spots with players they don't have internally. From an internal perspective they needed a guy like Helenius. But if you're another team looking at their depth chart, they have a lot of similar players already, and can't conceivably keep all of them.

It's probably more that Helenius was the right pick for them this year, but they should have made different picks in a previous draft(s), or traded a prospect or two when their value was a bit higher.

This sort of cartel behavior is extremely unlikely in a 32 actor multipass environment like the NHL. Made even less likely by the other actors directly competing.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Didn’t like the pick for Buffalo. Helenius at 14 is good value, but what you end up with is like Savoie. There are too many of these small forward prospects they compile and then when you have to trade some of them you don’t get good value because the ones you want to trade are going to be those with low stock.

Except Savoie (who was subsequently traded) plays a different role than Helenius.

He is a dynamic offense player. Buffalo's has several of then either on the NHL roster or close to being ready. Helenius projects as more of a two-way center, something lacking in Buffalo (thus the trade for McLeod).

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Except Savoie (who was subsequently traded) plays a different role than Helenius.

He is a dynamic offense player. Buffalo's has several of then either on the NHL roster or close to being ready. Helenius projects as more of a two-way center, something lacking in Buffalo (thus the trade for McLeod).

You realize that Savoie was projected to be the same thing initially? Now people are realizing he won’t be. Helenius is a smallish center without elite skating. Not exactly a player style teams are trying to load up with for their fourth line.

This sort of cartel behavior is extremely unlikely in a 32 actor multipass environment like the NHL. Made even less likely by the other actors directly competing.

Did you miss Savoie for McLeod?

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

You realize that Savoie was projected to be the same thing initially? Now people are realizing he won’t be. Helenius is a smallish center without elite skating. Not exactly a player style teams are trying to load up with for their fourth line.


Did you miss Savoie for McLeod?

The easier conclusion is that Savoie wasn't worth as much to NHL GMs as he was here

 

[Ace]

You realize that Savoie was projected to be the same thing initially? Now people are realizing he won’t be. Helenius is a smallish center without elite skating. Not exactly a player style teams are trying to load up with for their fourth line.


Did you miss Savoie for McLeod?

I was going to join the common sense answers to your nonsense parade but a cursory glance at your posting history shows a several years long commitment to shitting on Buffalo for everything. More than I’ve ever seen another team’s fan about a team that wasn’t there’s. So, instead, why don’t you just tell us when you’re going to wrap it up here and move on to bitching about how they play two anthems so the rest of us can discuss a team with zero right shot centers in the system drafting one you deem small as a 190 pound 17 year old putting up strong production in a men’s league. Save us the time.

The existence of Zach Benson discredits every f***ing point you try to make anyway.

 

[Zarzh]

You realize that Savoie was projected to be the same thing initially? Now people are realizing he won’t be. Helenius is a smallish center without elite skating. Not exactly a player style teams are trying to load up with for their fourth line.


Did you miss Savoie for McLeod?

Savoie was never seriously considered a two-way forward, his defense was always a major weakness. Some people liked his hustle and were optimistic.

 

[Ace]

Savoie was never seriously considered a two-way forward, his defense was always a major weakness. Some people liked his hustle and were optimistic.

There’s no point. It’s not why he’s here. He knows full well there’s a trade thread he can shit in. He’s here because it’s not enough for him. Just stop responding.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I was going to join the common sense answers to your nonsense parade but a cursory glance at your posting history shows a several years long commitment to shitting on Buffalo for everything. More than I’ve ever seen another team’s fan about a team that wasn’t there’s. So, instead, why don’t you just tell us when you’re going to wrap it up here and move on to bitching about how they play two anthems so the rest of us can discuss a team with zero right shot centers in the system drafting one you deem small as a 190 pound 17 year old putting up strong production in a men’s league. Save us the time.

The existence of Zach Benson discredits every f***ing point you try to make anyway.

You got me red handed. I hate your team and I hate it because you’re a fan of the team.

Savoie was never seriously considered a two-way forward, his defense was always a major weakness. Some people liked his hustle and were optimistic.

Right, but I’m just saying the same types of things were said about Savoie. He got Crosby comparisons. It is always difficult for smaller and non elite skating forwards to project well into an NHL lineup if their offensive game doesn’t translate.

It might for Savoie and it might for Helenius. Helenius might also be able to be a defensive 3C. I’m only saying that the “he’s very different” line of thinking is a little questionable.

 

[Fjordy]

It's weird to see comparisons between Savoie and Helenius, I think they are two different type players.

 

[Samsonite23]

Helenius is going to be a big guy… he’s built thick. 5-11 190 lbs at 18. His brothers are big. Size/strength isn’t a worry for this guy. I don’t get the narrative.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Helenius is going to be a big guy… he’s built thick. 5-11 190 lbs at 18. His brothers are big. Size/strength isn’t a worry for this guy. I don’t get the narrative.

He's going to play at like 210 pounds when he's a man and folks are calling him small.

 

[57special]

Size/weight doesn't always equate to strength, but if you caught any of his games in Finland you'll see that he did fine against men. He will not be one of those lightweight, neener, neener, forward prospects that BUF have a boatload of.

I see him as a lesser version of Cozens. 3C of the future, but possibly will be a top 9 W who knows how to play w/o the puck, which isn't the worst thing. A pick of substance, not an Olofsson type of player.

 

[thomast]

I can think his ceiling is Aho & Lehkonen hybrid, his offensive potential is somewhere between the two. He plays the game right way like Lehkonen and Aho. Really smart player who has extremely high compete level. Has IQ to play with elite players and can be slotted everywhere in the lineup. He is a player who plays winning hockey.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Helenius is going to be a big guy… he’s built thick. 5-11 190 lbs at 18. His brothers are big. Size/strength isn’t a worry for this guy. I don’t get the narrative.

HF is like Tinder

 

[TageGod]

Savoie was never seriously considered a two-way forward, his defense was always a major weakness. Some people liked his hustle and were optimistic.

This is my first time in years I have actually seen a single person mention his defense being an issue.

 

[Chainshot]

HF is like Tinder

View attachment 893324

Yet they still thought he'll be thicc enough and swiped right.

 

[Chainshot]

This is my first time in years I have actually seen a single person mention his defense being an issue.

Then you haven't looked very hard.

 

[Washed Up 29YearOld]

You got me red handed. I hate your team and I hate it because you’re a fan of the team.
.

You realize Sabres fans don't consider Rangers a rival and have never had animosity towards them. NYC is 372 miles away. Someone's still salty about game 5, 17 years ago.

 

[Ralonzo]

HF is like Tinder

View attachment 893324

You can still play a heavy game if you're heavy

 

[Faceboner]

Size/weight doesn't always equate to strength, but if you caught any of his games in Finland you'll see that he did fine against men. He will not be one of those lightweight, neener, neener, forward prospects that BUF have a boatload of.

I see him as a lesser version of Cozens. 3C of the future, but possibly will be a top 9 W who knows how to play w/o the puck, which isn't the worst thing. A pick of substance, not an Olofsson type of player.

I think his offense is being under sold good shot, instincts/vision and all around skating ability I could see lindholm also I believe liiga is one of the lower scoring leagues for draft eligible players.

 

[Chainshot]

Seems like Tappara is expecting him to play in North America this season -

https://x.com/i/web/status/1820388086037029258

 

[wetcoast]

Size/weight doesn't always equate to strength, but if you caught any of his games in Finland you'll see that he did fine against men. He will not be one of those lightweight, neener, neener, forward prospects that BUF have a boatload of.

I see him as a lesser version of Cozens. 3C of the future, but possibly will be a top 9 W who knows how to play w/o the puck, which isn't the worst thing. A pick of substance, not an Olofsson type of player.

I actually liked the pick upon reflection.

Sure he isn't going to be a sexy dynamic fantasy stud type of player but he might be NHL ready and his hockey IQ and 2 way play will make him as an excellent 3rd line center and a serviceable 2nd line one in the future I think, without the risk that some other guys picked after him have.

This is my first time in years I have actually seen a single person mention his defense being an issue.

Exactly and I get why the sabers made the trade for Mcleod but Savoie has very transferable skills for a long and successful NHL career.

 

[Razamanaz]

Buffalo ... soldier.

Saw him play a real mens game live in the World Championships in Czechia (Prag) a while ago.

A stuntman for the suspended captain Mikael Granlund and first line-center for Finland.
Lost to the ever so boring NHL-Sweden in sudden death in the quarters. With a Liiga-squad. Remember.

Small white Finland buffalo ... with both tooth, fang and claw!