The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by members of the Die By The Blade community. 92 readers ranked Buffalo Sabres players under the age of 25 as of August 1, 2026. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production to rank each player.
Konsta Helenius
Drafted: 2024 – 1st Round (14th Overall)
Position: Center/Wing
Born: May 11th, 2006 – 20 Years Old
2025-2026 Stats: GP 63 G 21 A 42 PTS 63 / Playoffs GP 3 G 2 A 1 PTS 3, AHL
GP 9 G 1 A 3 PTS 4 / Playoffs GP 4 G 2 A 0 PTS 2, NHL
2025 T25U25 Ranking: 7
Konsta Helenius introduced himself to most Sabre fans this past season and made quite the impression. He spent most of the year in Rochester where he was the primary offensive play driver. Putting up 63 points in 63 AHL games is impressive for a 19-year-old. For comparison, JJ Peterka put up 68 points in 70 games for Rochester at the same age. He held his own during his 9-game regular season stint in Buffalo where he put up 4 points, including his first career NHL goal, in 9 games. The best part of his season came in the Spring.
After Noah Ostlund went down in the Boston series, Buffalo needed an offensive spark against Montreal. That spark came in the form of Helenius. He made an immediate impact and helped round out the Sabres’ offensive lines. He finished with two goals in four playoff games, but he could have easily had two more. Before he finally got his first NHL playoff goal, he had two one-timer chances off nearly identical 2-on-1’s with Jason Zucker. One was victim of an incredible save, and the other crushed the post. He then went oversees to play for Finland in the World Championships. He looked great playing on Barkov’s wing. He put up 6 points in 6 games and joined Tage Thompson in an exclusive club by securing the gold medal with his overtime golden goal.
There are high hopes for Helenius this year as he will be counted on to replace some of the production Tuch had previously provided. He’s a offensive force with solid defensive instincts. One area of his game that goes largely unnoticed is his physical play. At 5’11”, he’s no imposing figure, put he finishes his checks, is relentless on the forecheck, and wins most of his board battles. Last year was Noah Ostlund’s coming out party, but this season could see Helenius go from a top prospect to a top contributor.