Buffalo Sabres sign 14th overall pick Konsta Helenius

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres’ first-round pick and 14th overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft is now the first player from this year’s draft class to sign an entry-level contract with the organization.

The Sabres wasted no time after a long week at development camp in making 18-year-old center Konsta Helenius official. It’s a three-year deal for Helenius, which now opens up options for where he can and will play next season.

Helenius could return to Finland to play in their top-tier professional league again, or he could end up with the Rochester Americans and new head coach Mike Leone. Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams hasn’t completely closed the door on the Finnish native playing in Buffalo, though.

“He’s a player that could be there, Buffalo, Rochester, anything is possible,” Adams said. “It’s certainly something we’re going to address immediately with his agent and start that conversation. We’re always open to anything. We want to hear from the player and the agent in terms of what they think is best for his development, but he’s a player we’d like to have here as soon as possible.”

“Let’s go back 12 months,” Adams said. “We’re open to that kind of thing. There’s always a balance, we want to make sure we put a player in a position to succeed, but you know he’s a player we have very high expectations for and we think he’s closer than he is further away.”

Helenius will now turn his attention to the Sabres Prospects Challenge in early September, followed by training camp shortly after.