Helenius joined the Rochester Americans as an 18-year-old, scoring 14 goals and 35 points in 65 games during his AHL rookie campaign. He began the year with a more passive, tentative style, but later began to assert the same grittiness that he had shown as a junior player. The coaching staff placed him at wing. As the season progressed, he found success around the crease and developed a propensity to dish out body checks to his opponents. The Sabres’ most recent first-round selection also received some power play time and, in the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs, tallied six points in eight games. At the World Juniors in December, he scored six assists in seven games to help Team Finland reach the Final.

Helenius was selected 14th overall by the Sabres.

The highly intelligent center with a well-balanced skill set has stayed in our top 10 during the whole season. While he may lack some of the high-end tools the other names in the top 10 possess, Helenius compensates for it with a profound understanding of the game. His impact on the ice in all three zones is significant and his ability to adjust is impressive as he is usually able to learn and improve inside the game. Helenius has continued to showcase his ability to be the best version of himself when playing under pressure. For his team’s playoff stint he improved his play from the regular season and played mature and more physical hockey as Jukurit’s first line center. He still has some hockey left as he will play with the national team in the U18 worlds and maybe with the men’s team as well. From the developmental point of view Helenius is already a quite complete 200-feet player but he could transform into a more dangerous dual threat in the offensive zone by working on his release as he is already a skillful playmaker. (April Rankings: 9th Overall)

Konsta Helenius is a highly skilled playmaking center whose game is built around intelligence and a profound understanding of the game. He can create offense in multiple ways. His passing is accurate and well-timed and he’s got a sneaky good shot as well. However, Helenius truly excels when he takes control in the offensive zone, skillfully dangling through opponents and uncovering unforeseen passing or shooting lanes. This allows him to not only capitalize on scoring opportunities but also to create space for his teammates, as his skillset attracts the opponent. Helenius can dominate shifts which is remarkable for any draft-eligible player in Finnish Liiga, let alone for a 5,11’’, 176 lbs center. He can control the game because of his vision and quickness. He anticipates plays before they happen and gains an edge against the opponents with his positioning. Quickness in his game doesn’t only mean his great skating but the level he can process the game and find advantage in that way as well. Playing in Finnish Liiga, Helenius faces professional competition in every game. Impressively, he doesn’t shy away when playing against players who are almost without exception physically bigger. His playing style is physically engaged and he doesn’t avoid going to the net or laying hits. Overall Helenius has good tools but it is his vision and understanding of the game that makes him such an exciting prospect. (November Rankings: 6th Overall)