Sabres’ Konsta Helenius adjusting to delicious life in America – but World Junior gold would taste better
OTTAWA – Konsta Helenius has had a bit of adjusting to do now that he lives and plays in the United States.
It turns out that living in Mikkeli – a small Finnish city with a population of around 68,000 – is a bit different from playing and living in Rochester, New York, home to more than 207,000 residents in the fourth biggest state in the country.
But Helenius likes it – especially the food.
“We have a lot more steaks here,” Helenius said.
Since getting selected 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in June, Helenius has been able to lean on some of the other European players in the team’s system to learn about life on this side of the pond. Even learning about smaller things like groceries and local transportation from some others who’ve been through the same lifestyle changes has been key to Helenius’ development.
Helenius is currently taking a short reprise from his full-season work with the AHL’s Rochester Americans to participate in his second World Junior Championship with Finland. The tournament returnee had recorded just seven shots and two assists in his first three games, but scouts were still hoping for more. He’s never been one to dominate international tournaments – his U-18 World Championship performance last year was a bit underwhelming despite having seven assists. But he entered the tournament at a 45-point pace with Rochester, which was impressive for someone his age.
Fortunately, Tuesday was his best showing of the tournament. It was Finland’s final game of the round-robin, and Helenius got the show started with an eye-popping move to set up Benjamin Rautiainen near the net to make it 1-0. It was one of the nicest plays of the tournament and a notable highlight from a game that saw him register four shots en route to top-player honors.
WHAT A DANGLE.
Konsta Helenius sets up Benjamin Rautiainen to give Finland the early lead. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/jT8IIxU0XQ
A sign of good things to come throughout the rest of the tournament, perhaps?
Scouts have shown concerns about his inconsistency. Sometimes, he’s the best player on the ice. Others, he’s invisible – and we’ve seen that a bit at the World Juniors. For example, in the opening game against Canada, he was notably absent from high-danger scoring areas.
But at his best, there’s so much to love. What makes Helenius stand out from the pack is his hockey IQ. He’s a creative player who rarely lets a play die in order to just make a pass. On the power play, he’s patient but calculated – and while he can’t slow things down on the man advantage now like he did against his age group, he’s learning to adjust.
“Smaller ice, you have less time, so you have to play much faster,” Helenius said. “The guys are so strong (in the AHL). I try to improve the physical part of my game because it’s very important if you want to play in the NHL.”
Many scouts like how physically strong he is despite being 5-foot-11. The two-way playmaker isn’t afraid to rough it up against older, stronger competition. He competes hard and doesn’t let himself get pushed around too much, either.
Helenius isn’t a great skater by pro hockey standards, but his straight-line speed has improved from a year ago. His legs are noticeably bigger and stronger, allowing him to push off harder. He doesn’t get knocked off the puck as often because he’s a better skater overall. At this tournament, Helenius looks like a more rounded player.
Helenius joined Finland just before the team’s first game against Canada, leaving in the midst of one of his best runs of the season. He had six points in a four-game stretch, with scouts pointing out how comfortable he looked with the increased pace of the AHL. Now in a leading role with the Finns, we’re seeing a mature, smart center making great plays for a team that hasn’t been particularly dangerous in high-scoring situations.
Finland has a realistic shot at winning a medal – and perhaps gold for the first time in Helenius’ international career. But they’ll need their top prospect to step things up and play his best hockey of the tournament when it counts.
And, hey: Sabres fans could use more positive energy to open up 2025, right?
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