F Konsta Helenius (2024, 14th, BUF)

[Jukurit]

Helenius finishes his U17 Liiga season with 11 points in 33 games. More points than Slafkovsky and Lambert scored in their draft years during regular season.

 

[Jukurit]

2 points first period against USA

 

[Eye of Ra]

His dad was a crazy goon,

 

[FloridaPanthersFan84]

His dad was a crazy goon,

Konsta Helenius isn't any relation for Sami Helenius.

 

[Jukurit]

First game of the season Helenius (14) with 2 points (1 goal, 1 primary assist) against Switzerland U20. He was Finland's best player IMO.

 

[Kuracmugger]

First game of the season Helenius with 2 points (1 goal, 1 primary assist) against Switzerland U20. He was Finland's best player IMO.

I agree on that. He looked very poised with the puck and has great puck control. He was the factor to change the outcome of the game.

 

[Jukurit]

First Liiga goal of the season. He has been playing good first 3 games of the season.

 

[Nabrules]

1+1 in todays game, and 4 points in 8 games. Solid start to the year and pacing towards being a top 10 pick.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Most young kids who play in european pro leagues are just holding on for dear life. Chipping in a few points here and there, trying to not make a blunder. That's not Konsta. Konsta is on the Liiga level to start the season. It'll be interesting to see where he's at by the end.

He's physical and competitive, he wins puck battles, he gets to pucks first, he's generally ahead of the play. He thinks the game at a higher level than most kids. For instance, last game he caused a grade A scoring chance just by choosing his forechecking route correctly. Because of that, the puck carrier had nowhere to go, ended up making a mistake and Jukurit were off to the races. The only question I have going forward is whether he has the tools to be a high level NHLer. He's not terribly fast, he's shifty, but not exactly a waterbug, he has good hands but he's not a wizard with the puck, he's not a very big guy.

I think he sees the game a lot better than Hemming, but Hemming is substantially bigger, faster, stronger, and has a better shot.

 

[Jukurit]

Helenius started the season playing very good, but he was unlucky that he didn't get more points. In recent games he's been pretty invisible outside of PP. Team as a whole has been playing worse too.

Stats so far: 5 points, 4 goals in 12 games. 3 PP points. 12.5% shooting percentage. 4% on-ice shooting percentage (unlucky). 59.8% Corsi. 16:53 TOI.

 

[Jukurit]

Neat goal.

 

[Jukurit]

What I find most impressive about Helenius is his skating ability. It's not his speed or explosiveness, but his shiftiness and agility. Ability to quickly change directions and ability weave his way around opposing players. It's nice to have a Finnish top prospect who can actually skate good (and also not have hockey IQ issues).

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

Not too much buzz about him, but seems to be on the right track. Point totals aren't eye-popping but solid, and he's looking good again in today's game, he's improved a lot in puck battles.

 

[Nabrules]

Not too much buzz about him, but seems to be on the right track. Point totals aren't eye-popping but solid, and he's looking good again in today's game, he's improved a lot in puck battles.

I suspect my team the Flyers will pick around 7-12 this year right in the range of Helenius and I’d be perfectly happy with that. If he hits his ceiling could be an Aho type player!

 

[Jukurit]

Helenius with 6 points in 3 games at U20 5 Nations. Played against Slovakia, Czechia and Sweden. Didn't play against Switzerland. He was Finland's best player in this tournament.

 

[Svedu]

Hope Flyers pick him. I would love to see him and Michkov in the same line in the future. Wowzers!

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

He's begun to really dictate the play in the last few games I've seen. Showing that he has great instincts to go with his skating and hands. Kind of looks like Lambert in juniors, except Helenius has much better overall awareness and is a puck hound on the forecheck.

 

[KaprizovSaveUs]

He looks pretty good. Not sure I see a top 10 pick but he’s not far off

 

[Jukurit]

First 3 point game for Helenius in Liiga. Secondary assist on PP and empty net goal weren't anything special, but this sneaky pass was pretty nice.



14 points in 21 Liiga games.

 

[NotProkofievian]

He's begun to really dictate the play in the last few games I've seen. Showing that he has great instincts to go with his skating and hands. Kind of looks like Lambert in juniors, except Helenius has much better overall awareness and is a puck hound on the forecheck.

Agreed. Tonight's game was just okay outside of his second assist, but I've also noticed a change in his play the last couple games. Before he was Doing Good Things™ but now he's able to create scoring chances out of nowhere, and manipulate defences. By the end of the season he might well have cracked the code.

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

Two goals today. Haven't seen a draft-year player like him in Liiga since Kakko. Kemell had his hot streak but he wasn't really the motor of his line like Helenius right now.

 

[Jukurit]

Helenius now leads his Liiga team in goals and is tied first in points.

8 goals, 16 points in 22 games.

Both of his goals from Ilves game. Second one was especially nice:

 

[NotProkofievian]

Helenius now leads his Liiga team in goals and is tied first in points.

8 goals, 16 points in 22 games.

Both of his goals from Ilves game. Second one was especially nice:

I was watching him round the net before his second goal and said to myself ''okay Konsta, let's see some magic.'' Well, there it is.

 

[karhukissa]

Should be guaranteed top 5 pick in the draft.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

When I've watched him I've been very impressed with his 200ft game but wondered whether his offensive upside is truly elite or more of a 2nd line level, but man the statistics he's putting up are hard to argue with. Not many draft eligible do what he's doing.