Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Buffalo Sabres 1st round pick Konsta Helenius looks on in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by members of the Die By The Blade community. 117 readers ranked Buffalo Sabres players under the age of 25 as of August 1, 2025. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production to rank each player.
2024-2025 stats: GP 65 G 14 A 21 PTS 35 (Rochester Americans)
2024 T25U25 Ranking: Helenius was ranked 13th one year ago.
Buffalo’s top pick in 2024 was touted as a smart, two-way center who was closer to being NHL ready than most others in his draft. Konsta Helenius started his pro career with Rochester last season and played the entire year with them as an 18 year old. He acquitted himself pretty well. As a teenager in a new country, Konsta picked up 35 points in 65 Amerks’ games. He also showed a willingness to mix it up and bring some physicality to the rink. (after a more mild start) His 14 goals was decent, as was his overall game. Not quite the impact play the Sabres were hoping for but a solid first outing in the pros.
Helenius will be penciled in for year two in Rochester to start this season. He needs further development, despite his draft analysis. Buffalo is still excited about this player though, as are most fans. Konsta will get top six minutes with the Amerks and he will be an expected offensive and all-around leader.
“There were some who wondered for a time if he’d be a center or winger at the NHL level, but he’s solid in the faceoff circle, his defensive play is where it needs to be and then some (it’s a real strength of his game), and he’s got an impressive understanding of how to forecheck, track, and engage for pucks with his body and stick.”
Helenius is a cerebral player, with great hockey sense and good vision. He doesn’t have the height you hope for at just 5’11” but he is a solid 190 pounds. He is 19 years old now and in excellent shape, being very physically fit. He uses his strength in his game, often engaging along the boards and standing up for himself and others. He plays bigger than he is, which is nice to see.
Nicknamed “Hellboy” before he even arrives in Buffalo, fans are tracking this prospect closely. He is an excellent skater with above average speed and he uses it effectively in all three zones. He can score you big goals but he is probably a better playmaker. His reputation for a solid defensive game took a bit of a hit as he turned pro but he has this season and beyond to work on it. He sometimes lost positioning and got caught cheating on occasion in zone clears. But overall, Helenius had himself a steady first year with room for improvement. Expectations will go up in year two and he is anticipated to produce more. (and work out the defensive kinks as well)
A more complete season in Rochester this year could see Konsta knocking on the Sabres’ door in 2026-27. He has all the tools and high hockey IQ to be a successful NHL player. A potential top-six forward who contributes at both ends of the ice. Helenius has a strong NHL Certainty rating of 9.0 from https://dobberprospects.com/player/konsta-helenius/ He feels like the best bet candidate among the forward prospects to be a future Buffalo Sabre.
