Prospect Info: Konsta Helenius, RC, Jukurit (Liiga) - 14th Overall, 2024

[Zman5778]

We have a logjam of 3C's

We have 2 legit center prospects in the system: Ostlund and Helenius.

I wouldn't call that a logjam.

 

[buffalowing88]

We have 2 legit center prospects in the system: Ostlund and Helenius.

I wouldn't call that a logjam.

Are Kulich and Savoie not centers?

 

[Gras]

No and maybe.

 

[Chainshot]

Another Black Book blurb -

Determining off the puck support is critical in evaluating a center's ability to translate from their draft season and in to the NHL. One of the major reasons why is due to the significance that puck support can have when determining a centers ability to control the middle portion of the ice for his team, and that’s Helenius’s bread and butter. His anticipation generates calculated positioning that keeps him above the puck on most sequences and it’s led to continuous zone exits in each viewing. This gives him the natural tendency to be a third defenseman when his team needs him to be. A lot of young forwards are in a hurry to join an attack and generally over step their offensive limits in an effort to try and make something happen while exiting the zone, but Konsta is seemingly always in control, rarely putting himself out of position, that’s complemented by his defensive awareness, when determining why he’s above the puck as frequently as he is.

 

[Chainshot]

Also from BB:

Although he’s not a large center, he plays bigger than his size and comes with a natural strength that’s surprising. Towards the playoffs in Liiga, the games demanded more physicality and speed out of him, yet he took shifts over as opposed to getting drowned out. In-fact, we would label Helenius as one of the more difficult players to play against. He routinely cross checks players out of their position, and has a gritty, determined side to his game that’s complimentary to the rest of his skill-set. There’s a fall back approach to his play style, and he refuses to be intimidated when matching up against much larger players than himself.

 

[Zman5778]

Are Kulich and Savoie not centers?

No and yet to be determined. My personal guess is that Savoie is not going to be a full-time NHL center.

 

[dire wolf]

That instant grade of b- at the top of the thread mentioned it makes Adam's job harder as he has another similar prospect and it lowers the value of each of them. I'm kinda chewing on that right now.

Was that Pronman? Im not buying it. Good prospects always have value

 

[ValJamesDuex]

name pronounced Hel-in-us per player, pham/wgr

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Also from BB:

Reads like he's the kind of guy who lives for Overtime in the playoffs.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[ValJamesDuex]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806860010099556475

 

[debaser66]

I mean maybe a little bit?

In reality, the team that wants one of what we have wants them because they need them, and that's what will drive the value imo. Seems like kind of oversimple logic and Adams hasn't flinched yet [ducks].

Not sure about that given the value that ARZ wanted for Chry from us & what he actually got traded for

 

[old kummelweck]

Are Kulich and Savoie not centers?

I think the thought process is you never can have enough.

Honestly, if KA would just get those 3rd and 4th line C on his roster, maybe people wouldn't be so concerned about the org depth at that position.

 

[HOOats]

Eh, that's anecdotal as far as I'm concerned. That was a weird negotiation with a weird org for a weird player.

Like I said there's probably a little impact, but not enough to move the needle for me.

 

[debaser66]

We have 2 legit center prospects in the system: Ostlund and Helenius.

I wouldn't call that a logjam.

What about Wahlberg?

 

[Gras]

What about Wahlberg?

Pretty sure they see him as a power winger

 

[Chainshot]

Are Kulich and Savoie not centers?

I could see Helenius being a checking center. I don't see either Kulich or Savoie as successful NHL checking centers.

What about Wahlberg?

I don't think they look at him there.

 

[old kummelweck]

What about Wahlberg?

Wasn't that a Paulie Shore movie?

 

[Faceboner]

I could see Helenius being a checking center. I don't see either Kulich or Savoie as successful NHL checking centers.



I don't think they look at him there.

I think with his playmaking ability he would work well with kulich as a 3rd line duo maybe but we have potential top 9 setup rather than traditional top 6 bottom 6

 

[Kublakhan]

No idea who he is, but at least he has some thickness..

 

[Chainshot]

I think with his playmaking ability he would work well with kulich as a 3rd line duo maybe but we have potential top 9 setup rather than traditional top 6 bottom 6

In terms of role, I'm curious how they proceed. They tried having three offensive lines and a d-zone line for a while but without as much success. Perhaps they go with a more traditional setup, but

 

[Gabrielor]

Are Kulich and Savoie not centers?

Evidently not. That's all I've heard all year.

I think Ostlund is. Helenius has only been in the org for an hour, so he probably still is.

It's tough to follow.

 

[Dingo44]

Every Buffalo rookie needs a yellow jacket.

 

[Sabre the Win]

I like this pick, its who I would have took if we drafted and couldn't work a trade.

I am just looking 3 years down the road and seeing an absolute log jam. Adams has not shown yet to be willing to part with ANY prospects. Bloom is about it.

Because he didn't draft Bloom

 

[buffalowing88]

In terms of role, I'm curious how they proceed. They tried having three offensive lines and a d-zone line for a while but without as much success. Perhaps they go with a more traditional setup, but

It's hard to gauge what to expect with Ruff so far. If he's thinking of a third-line that is entirely about shutting down the top-line of the opponent, I am all ears. Ostlund would be the center of that line ideally.