After being selected 14th overall in this summer’s draft and signing his entry-level contract, it seems Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius will be leaving his native Finland for the foreseeable future. Liiga club Tappara, which holds his rights, announced on Monday that Helenius is “looking for a place to play in the Sabres organization” this season and is unlikely to return to the team.
Helenius, 18, had expressed a desire to move to the NHL as soon as possible before the draft. Following his signing with Buffalo in July, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reported that the Sabres’ preference is for him to spend the 2024-25 season with AHL Rochester.
Both Helenius and the Sabres are keen for him to play in North America right away. As a first-round pick coming from a European league, he is eligible for a full-time AHL assignment and does not need to be offered back to his Liiga team before being sent to the minors.
Helenius, who already has two full professional seasons under his belt, was loaned to Jukurit by Tappara for most of 2022-23 and all of 2023-24. During this period, he accumulated 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) in 84 games, including 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points in 51 games last season. He led Liiga under-18 players in scoring in both years.
Even if Helenius primarily plays in the AHL this season, his entry-level contract could slide to 2025-26 if he appears in fewer than 10 NHL games. Given his experience and success in a top European league, he is expected to adjust quickly, whether he starts the season in Buffalo or Rochester.
