Helenius - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres need Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to recapture dynamic form of last season

BUFFALO – The goal outburst that helped the Sabres end their 13-game winless skid overshadowed goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stellar performance heading into the Christmas break.

Luukkonen, 25, quietly enjoyed one of his strongest outings this season in Monday’s 7-1 road win against the New York Islanders, stopping 27 shots and allowing one goal or less for just the fifth time in 24 games.

If the Sabres make an unlikely climb up the standings – they ... Read the full article

Sabres send prospects Konsta Helenius, Anton Wahlberg from Amerks to World Junior Championship

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday assigned two of their top forward prospects – AHL rookies Konsta Helenius and Anton Wahlberg – from the Rochester Americans to their respective countries for the upcoming World Junior Championship.

Helenius, 18, will be representing Team Finland, while Wahlberg, 19, will be representing Team Sweden.

Both youngsters played in the tournament last year.... Read the full article

After mistake, Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius dazzles for Rochester

ROCHESTER – Before Americans coach Mike Leone talked about how center Konsta Helenius’ soft hands and terrific vision created the tying goal, he brought up a mistake the rookie made early in Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Hershey Bears.

“Yeah, there were some things, though,” Leone said following the game in Blue Cross Arena.

Just 4:40 into the contest, Helenius’ turnover helped Hershey open the scoring. When the Buffalo Sabres prospect returned to the ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen generated offense for Rochester, tried to evolve before recall to Buffalo

ROCHESTER – Don’t let Isak Rosen’s numbers fool you. The four goals and team-leading 13 points the Buffalo Sabres prospect has scored in 14 games illustrate just part of his performance this season.

Rosen, who on Monday was recalled by the Sabres, has been an offensive driver for the Americans in the opening weeks of his third AHL season.

Still, other aspects of the winger’s game need work.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius on hot streak, scoring goals for Rochester

ROCHESTER – Not much has changed recently for Buffalo Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius. Well, other than the goal-scoring streak the center extended to four games in Friday’s 6-3 win.

Helenius, 18, has pretty much played the same way from the get-go as a rookie, Americans assistant coach Vinny Prospal said.

“Basically the only thing (that) changed (is) that he found the net (on a) couple of occasions,” Prospal said prior to tonight’s game ... Read the full article

Video: Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius scores two nifty goals for Rochester

Buffalo Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius arrived in North America a polished youngster, having spent two seasons playing pro hockey against men in his native Finland.

It felt like the rookie center, the 14th overall pick this year, could acclimate quickly to a different brand of hockey.

Well, Helenius, 18, is starting to heat up. He scored one goal in each of the Rochester Americans’ road victories this weekend. He’s up to three goals and four ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Tyson Kozak off to hot start with Rochester Amerks; Noah Ostlund scores first goal

ROCHESTER – The most impressive part of Buffalo Sabres prospect Tyson Kozak’s performance Wednesday wasn’t the goal he scored by driving to the net and deftly backhanding a rebound in.

No, while Kozak displayed tenacity and skill in scoring his team-leading third goal, his play later in the Americans’ 6-1 win was more notable.

With the Amerks comfortably up 5-0, he raced into his own zone to thwart a breakaway attempt by the Cleveland Monsters.... Read the full article

Video: Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius scores first goal for Rochester

In Friday’s second period, Rochester Americans center Konsta Helenius grabbed a pass from linemate Viktor Neuchev in the slot, skated to the bottom of the right circle and beat goalie Artur Akhtyamov with an odd-angle shot.

The first goal and point of the Finn’s three-game AHL career was pretty nifty.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius looks sharp late in Rochester debut

ROCHESTER – In the opening minutes of his AHL debut, Konsta Helenius looked a bit overwhelmed, turning the puck over twice in his own zone during a power play. During a man advantage later in the first period, the Buffalo Sabres prospect fell down at the point, creating a breakaway for the Belleville Senators.

But as Friday’s game progressed, Helenius, 18, settled in, displaying some of the talent that made him the 14th overall pick... Read the full article

Before first season with Amerks, Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund dazzles in NHL

BUFFALO – Sometimes the NHL preseason must be analyzed appropriately. What kind of competition was that prospect who scored a nifty goal or enjoyed a standout night facing? Was he competing against top talent or minor leaguers and undersized youngsters?

If you dissect Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund’s recent exploits – the center scored one goal, an overtime winner, and four points in four exhibition outings – everything probably looks more impressive than first thought.

Ostlund, ... Read the full article