The very best half about choosing simply exterior of the highest 10 within the NHL draft may also be the worst half. The differentiation between among the gamers is so small that selecting the correct one is usually a very troublesome resolution. Whereas there may be some discuss of the Buffalo Sabres probably buying and selling the decide, they at the moment nonetheless maintain onto the choice. There are a variety of excessive expertise, excessive potential prospects who will likely be accessible Eleventh total, so selecting one that matches their system will likely be paramount, and Konsta Helenius completely matches that invoice.
As a 5-foot-11 middle, and a proper handed shooter, Helenius would add extra depth for the Sabres down the center whereas additionally diversifying the handedness of their prospect pool which is predominantly left handed. Right here, we’ll break down what Helenius brings to the desk and why he’s a primary candidate for the Sabres.
Helenius’ Strengths
One of many points of his recreation that stands out is his skating capacity. He isn’t essentially one of many quickest skaters within the draft, however he has some wonderful edge work, and he can actually activate a dime to create space for himself in tight spots. He’s a shifty and cell ahead who could make good use of the house he creates for himself, and that leads into his different finest energy: his playmaking. Passing effectively is one factor, and whereas Helenius is an effective passer, his capacity to arrange performs basically, each for himself and for his teammates, is phenomenal. He finds tender spots within the offensive zone nearly effortlessly, and he reads defenses with some unimaginable hockey IQ. A participant who makes good passes and performs good is one thing the Sabres might actually use of their system.
Placing all of those abilities collectively translated into a really good stat line taking part in for Jukurit Mikkeli in Liiga (Finland’s high League), as he completed with 14 targets and 22 assists in 51 regular-season video games after which tallied two targets and 4 assists in six playoff video games. The Sabres are a fast group of skaters with a necessity for scoring down the center, and his playstyle matches proper in with how their group is constructed. Utilizing his playmaking from wherever within the offensive zone can be a stellar asset for the Sabres to have sooner or later, and if he’s developed the proper manner, a comparability to somebody like Mat Barzal will not be out of the query.
The place Can Helenius Enhance?
Regardless of his skating capacity, he’s not an excellent quick skater. Engaged on his foot pace alongside along with his transition recreation to raised enhance his defensive recreation will make him a extra dependable two-way middle in the long term. He has the capability to be a top-six ahead with some nice scoring numbers, however with the proper push and growth path, he may very well be greater than only a scorer. With how good he’s, and the way effectively he can learn performs — mixed with how effectively he can transfer round on the ice — he may very well be a menace as a two-way middle. Enhancing on his capacity to rise up and down the ice with pace will permit him to play extra effortlessly and be on the ice for prolonged durations of time, which in flip would make him a extra viable choice in additional conditions.
Including some defensive consciousness to his recreation and translating his hockey IQ to the defensive zone will take a while, however because the Sabres wouldn’t want him within the NHL any time quickly, they might have the flexibility to set him on this path of growth and actually faucet into that potential. He has the scoring contact and the playmaking capacity of somebody like Barzal, but when he may very well be molded right into a extra accountable participant and use his abilities in numerous methods, the Sabres might make him into somebody much like Nico Hischier. Whereas that comparability is definitely lofty, they’ve an analogous type of play. Having a participant who can play in any state of affairs and nonetheless be relied on as a main scoring risk is one thing the Sabres might desperately use on their roster. Helenius has that potential, however these enhancements have to be made first.
The place Would Helenius Match on the Sabres Roster?
There are a variety of ahead prospects within the Sabres system, and so far as facilities are involved, Helenius can be lumped in with Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich, and Noah Ostlund for the highest spots. Regarding the depth chart, he would slot in proper subsequent to Ostlund; whether or not that might be in entrance of or behind him is a toss up at this level. He wouldn’t overtake Kulich or Savoie fairly but, however with how expert he’s, he might positively give Kulich a run for his cash in a 12 months.
The Sabres will seemingly not see Helenius for 3 to 4 years, so that offers them some flexibility with how you can get him located into their lineup. He wouldn’t be thrust instantly into their top-six ahead group and would seemingly see time of their center six to study the pace of the NHL and develop proper, however as soon as he’s up to the mark, I might very a lot see him within the second-line middle place at naked minimal. At his full potential, he might turn out to be a primary middle within the NHL, however with Savoie standing in his manner, it could be a little bit of a tall order to surpass him.
Projecting Helenius’ Sabres Profession
Helenius might have dropped off barely from his preliminary midterm draft rankings because the top-ranked European skater to the third-ranked one, however that ought to not deter Buffalo from choosing him. Ought to Buffalo get the prospect to pick out him with the Eleventh-overall decide — as was anticipated by a few totally different mock drafts to this point — they might have a really particular ahead on their roster. If his growth goes proper, he would ideally be slated with a aim scorer and one other playmaker. The very best line mixture would positively be Helenius with Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka. Peterka and Thompson each present well-rounded expertise of their scoring and passing talents, and Helenius would thrive between each of them. At his full potential, he can be feeding each of them pucks left and proper because the Sabres’ second-line middle.
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Now, it could be a little bit of a scorching take to imagine Thompson and Peterka would finally be part of the Sabres’ future second line, however I make that prediction with the presumption Savoie turns into the Sabres high line middle between Zach Benson and Jack Quinn or Alex Tuch (if he’s retained.) On this state of affairs, Helenius would turn out to be the Sabres’ all-around, all-situations ahead. His manufacturing numbers can be within the 70-plus point-per-season vary on the excessive finish, and he would have a really profitable profession in Buffalo. The Sabres have an opportunity to make an enormous splash if they’ll select a participant like him, however they might want to develop him proper. It is going to be as much as head coach Lindy Ruff, or their coach in ready, Seth Appert, to get this child up to the mark if he finally ends up being chosen later this month.
