BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Kevyn Adams was shown working the phones on the draft floor Friday night at the Las Vegas Sphere. But after trading down a few spots beforehand, the Sabres general manager held on to the team's first-round selection and drafted Finnish center Konsta Helenius at No. 14 overall.
Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff announced the draft choice, joined on stage by team owner Terry Pegula, general manger Kevyn Adams, and assistant GM Jerry Forton.
Ranked as the third-best international skater by NHL Central Scouting Services, the 5-foot-11, 189 pound Helenius is a "reliable, solid player with a great set of tools," according to the scouting report. "Plays a mature game and does not shy away from the physical side of the game despite his size. A unique skater who always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. Excellent understanding of the game. His playmaking and passing game are outstanding. He is only 17 but is already a key player on his team playing professionally in Finland. Played first or second line center for Finland at the World Junior Championship showing his talent against 19-year-old opponents."
Helenius, who turned 18 in May, represented Finland at both the world championships and world juniors in 2024. He had an assist and a plus-2 rating in four games as the youngest player in the world championships tournament. Helenius tallied 17 goals and 30 assists in 84 games playing for his Liiga club over the past two seasons. His 47 points are the second-most by a player under the age of 18 in league history after Aleksandr Barkov, captain of the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
“It was good for me to play against men because I like to battle hard," Helenius said, "and I’m not the biggest guy, but I think I’m a very strong guy.".
Playing for coach Olli Jokinen, a veteran 1,231 NHL games, for Jukurit in Liiga has helped Helenius develop his two-way game.
“He said before every game that you need the defense first and then you get the puck and you can do whatever you want," Jukurit said.
The 20th first-round draft choice the Sabres have made over the past 14 years, and 14th selected among the top 14 picks, Helenius is the eighth player in team history drafted No. 14 overall. The others are Isak Rosen (2019), Zemgus Girgensons (2012), Bady May (1990), Kevin Haller (1989), Calle Johansson (1985), Jay McKee (1995) and Ric Seiling (1977).
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.