Helenius - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Following move to center with Amerks, prospect Anton Wahlberg receives first recall to Sabres

ROCHESTER – After Konsta Helenius’ first NHL recall last month left the Americans thin at center, coach Mike Leone shifted Buffalo Sabres prospect Anton Wahlberg up to pivot the Americans’ top line.

Normally, a neophyte about 100 games into his AHL career wouldn’t have been thrust into such a high-profile role.

“It’s extremely difficult to do what he’s doing right now as a young player,” Leone said last month of the 20-year-old.... Read the full article

Mature, tenacious style helping Sabres prospect Isak Rosen enjoy special year with Rochester Amerks

ROCHESTER – Isak Rosen’s third goal of the night in his return to the Americans, a nifty two-on-one he converted after Konsta Helenius corralled a bouncing puck and fed his linemate, illustrates the special chemistry the Buffalo Sabres prospects share.

Rosen and Helenius, both of whom will play in tonight’s AHL All-Star Classic in Rockford, Illinois, have morphed into one of the league’s elite duos.

If Helenius, 19, can feed him the puck, there’s a ... Read the full article

After first taste of NHL, Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius can help Rochester

ROCHESTER – In his last outing before the Buffalo Sabres assigned him to the Americans, rookie Konsta Helenius shared the ice with Pittsburgh Penguins superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, two hockey icons.

“I watched their highlight videos (growing up), so it was pretty cool,” Helenius said prior to Friday’s game against the Springfield Thunderbirds in Blue Cross Arena.

Earlier in his first trip to the NHL, Helenius, 19, faced Los Angeles Kings defenseman defenseman ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson (72) battles with Pittsburgh’s Kevin Hayes on Thursday.

Sabres look sloppy in loss to Penguins; Buffalo makes roster moves

BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ final outing before the Milano Cortina Games, center Tage Thompson showcased why he earned a coveted spot on Team USA’s stacked Olympic squad.

Thompson was often the best player on the ice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring his 30th goal and narrowly missing a few more prime chances.

The American certainly outplayed the Penguins’ two biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

On most nights, that ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Metsa feeling more comfortable in NHL; Michael Kesselring happy to record first point

TORONTO – Zach Metsa’s first tour around the NHL has given him a special opportunity to visit come of hockey’s most hallowed rinks and soak in each unique experience.

“I’ve been fired up for it,” the Buffalo Sabres rookie told the Times Herald prior to Tuesday’s game against the Maple Leafs. “I’m lucky.”

Metsa, 27, made his big league debut in Montreal’s Bell Centre and earlier this month played his first game at New York’s ... Read the full article

Early in first recall, Sabres rookie Konsta Helenius shows he’s special talent

MONTREAL – As coach Lindy Ruff closed his remarks following Tuesday’s 5-3 win, he congratulated the Buffalo Sabres’ slick new line of neophytes for a “hell of a night,” then reached into his pocket and tossed rookie Konsta Helenius the puck for his first NHL point, an assist on Noah Ostlund’s early goal.

As Helenius’ teammates cheered, Ruff dug back into his pocket and lobbed Helenius the puck he whistled by Nashville Predators goalie Jusse ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris week to week with injury; Konsta Helenius ready to make NHL debut, Alex Lyon healthy

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris is now likely week to week with an upper-body injury.

After the oft-injured Norris left Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period, the Sabres labeled his status as day to day.

“He’s kind of gone more from the day to day that it looks like now it might be longer,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said following Sunday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “I can’t really peg ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back against Wild, lose in OT; Josh Norris misses second game

BUFFALO – It was about to be one heck of a penalty kill for the Sabres. Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson cleared the puck down down the ice, seemingly extinguishing the power play the Minnesota Wild carried into Saturday afternoon’s overtime.

But Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson skated out to the left circle and quickly flung the puck up to Kirill Kaprizov at the Buffalo blue line as the Sabres changed. Kaprizov skated in and fed Mats Zuccarello, ... Read the full article

Mature, consistent game as No. 1 center helps Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius earn first recall from Rochester

BRIGHTON – Center prospect Konsta Helenius’ first recall to Buffalo could be brief. Right now, the Sabres are scorching, having won 15 of their last 17 games, and coach Lindy Ruff hasn’t tinkered with his lineup much over the past five weeks.

If Sabres center Josh Norris, who’s day to day with an upper-body injury, heals quickly, Helenius, 19, could be returned to the Rochester Americans without playing a game.

The Sabres, who host the ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospect Konsta Helenius; Josh Norris day to day with injury

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon recalled center Konsta Helenius, one of their top prospects, from the Rochester Americans.

Center Josh Norris is day to day after suffering an upper-body injury when Nick Seeler cross-checked him in the second period of Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, according to the team.

Helenius, 19, could make his NHL debut tonight against the Montreal Canadiens in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article