In November, four months before Konsta Helenius developed into Jukurit’s best player and seven months before the Buffalo Sabres traded down and drafted him 14th overall, his coach, Olli Jokinen, said the prospect would play in the NHL this upcoming season.
At just 17, Helenius was one of the youngest players in Liiga, a high-level pro league in his native Finland. After a year with Jukurit, the center had finally earned enough trust to begin taking critical late-game faceoffs.
While mature for his age, he was raw and learning the rigors of competing against men.
Still, Jokinen, who played 1,231 NHL games over 16 seasons, was convinced Helenius would be playing in the big leagues in less than a year.
“I said last November that he will play NHL this season, so I’m going to stick with that, that he’s going to take the spot and he’s going to show everyone he deserves to get the spot in training camp,” Jokinen told the Times Herald.
He added: “I truly believe he will be one of the four centers who’s putting the jersey on in the first game.”
The Sabres haven’t announced where Helenius, who signed his entry-level contract July 8, will play in 2024-25. They seem interested in bringing him over, and his body of work illustrates he’s ready for better competition.
If he plays in North America, what gives Jokinen confidence the 5-foot-11, 189-pound Helenius can crack Buffalo’s lineup? It’s the total package he offers – the commitment and maturity that complements his talent.
“Konsta’s thing is that he thinks he’s good and he’s willing to say that,” Jokinen said. “But he’s also willing to put the work in every day.”
In their underage year, teenagers in top European pro leagues rarely contribute much. Sure, they have the skill to secure a roster spot. But they’re usually not drivers for their teams like Helenius was in 2023-24.
Helenius showcased rapid growth, scoring 14 goals and 36 points in 51 games and adding two goals and six points in six playoff contests.
His exploits during the final months of last season likely only strengthened Jokinen’s belief he’s an NHL-ready prospect.
“The last three games in Jukurit, he was our best player in the playoffs,” said Jokinen, who now coaches Timra, a team in the Swedish Hockey League.
Overall, Helenius registered 47 points with Jukurit, the second-highest total by a Liiga player before his 18th birthday. Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, one of the NHL’s best all-around players, owns the record.
Helenius approached Barkov’s mark, in part, because he possesses a sublime ability to see plays develop – “The vision is something that gives him an opportunity to be a franchise player,” Jokinen said – and dictate the game like some of hockey’s superstars.
“Talent-wise, the pace, he controls the pace of the game, basically, when he’s got the puck, and the vision is something that he plays a pass ahead,” Jokinen said. “There’s not many players even at the NHL level that hold and play that pass-ahead game. You have your (Nikita) Kucherovs, (Connor) McDavids, Barkovs, (Nathan) MacKinnons that you know where the puck is going to go before it gets to them, and Konsta has that ability.”
Helenius enhanced that unique ability by embracing what Jokinen called a “big time” challenge to improve his defense. As he evolved into a stronger two-way presence, he had the puck more often and also earned opportunities like those late-game faceoffs. In some contests, he played 20 minutes or more.
“That was a big thing that he took huge steps with,” Jokinen said of Helenius’ defending. “… By November, I was able to put him over there because every day we worked on the faceoffs, every day we watched video. We talked to him about the defense, defense, defense.
“We (had) very minimal talk about the offense because the big thing was to get his game, defensively, at that level that he can play this upcoming season in the NHL.”
We’re back in action as the #Bills returned to training camp this week. @BillHoppeNHL and I discussed the #Buffalo offense, who the top receiver will be, who’s calling defensive plays and the safety battle. https://t.co/rrc9YrtDI1
— Nick Sabato (@NickSabatoGNN) July 27, 2024
It would be great if he made the team,like Benson. The question is who would he replace in the top 3 lines? I certainly wouldn’t want him on the 4th checker line, where his talents would be wasted and his minutes would be reduced.
It has to be Greenway. Krebs is still without a signed contract.