Sabers select Konsta Helenius 14th overall in 2024 NHL Draft

Buffalo, New York (WGR 550 Sports Radio) – With the 14th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select forward Konsta Helenius from Jukurit in the Finnish Liiga.

At the age of 17, playing in Finland during his draft year, Helenius managed to carve out a central place in the top professional league playing with Jukurit. He even spent most of his age 16 season playing professionally in Finland among many grizzled veterans.

Last season, Helenius produced 36 points (14+22) in 51 games played, which was one of the best productions of any prospect out of Finland during his draft year. Only Aleksander Barkov and Patrik Laine had better points per game numbers in their draft year in the Finnish Liiga.

Helenius also competed at the World Junior Under-18 and Under-20 Championships last year for Finland. In five matches played in the under-18 tournament, he recorded seven assists. In seven games at the World Junior Championships in Sweden, he recorded one goal and one assist.

Helenius radiates confidence the moment the puck hits his stick. He becomes an X-factor on the ice with his ability to control the pace of the game with excellent vision and natural instincts. He is also not afraid to bring pucks to the net, be a physical presence in the dirty zones and compete to win puck battles using his instincts in all three zones.

In 84 games over two seasons with Jukurit, Helenius has accumulated 47 points (17+30).

Helenius is expected to return to Finland next year and play for Tappara, where he signed a one-year contract, according to Elite Prospects. Tappara is one of Finland’s most successful professional teams, having won their third consecutive championship last season.

The Sabers acquired the 14th overall pick Thursday in a trade with the San Jose Sharks for the 11th overall pick in the first round.

Buffalo’s next selection in the 2024 NHL Draft will be in the second round with the 42nd overall pick, which was also acquired in Thursday’s trade with the Sharks (originally held by the New Jersey Devils ).