Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 Player Grades: Konsta Helenius

As we gear up for the 2026 NHL Draft, it is time to take a retrospective look at the 2025-26 season. While it was a screaming success for the Buffalo Sabres, it felt like they could have done even more than what they ended up achieving.

In this series, we assign player grades to every player based on their production and intangibles. Today’s subject had a very small sample size – just 13 games – but left a lasting impression on both Sabres fans and management: Konsta Helenius.

Production

Helenius spent the majority of the season with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) and that can’t be ignored. Helenius was exceptional, scoring 21 goals and adding 42 assists in 63 games to earn an AHL Top Prospects nod.

Helenius’ regular season numbers – one goal, three assists in nine games – aren’t much to write home about but he was impressive in the four playoff games he appeared in, scoring in Games 5 and 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. The sample size is small, but it is highly impressive for a 20-year-old.

Intangibles

Helenius is a strong skater, has tremendous vision, and just finds his way into the right areas. He isn’t overly tenacious or physical, but he doesn’t shy away, either. If you want to know who Helenius is as a player, just look at his four-game performance in the playoffs as well as his winner for Finland at the World Championships.

Helenius is simply a player. He just has that “it” factor and the fact that he’s been seriously threatening to take an everyday job since the day he was drafted tells you everything you need to know. He is the kind of player that looks like he could be a cornerstone for the Sabres for a long time to come.

Overall Grade: A-

It cannot be stated enough that Helenius’ 13 games is not nearly enough to really judge. That said, he played an important enough role – particularly in the playoffs – that he can’t just be written off, either.

His production isn’t incredible but the way he came up in big moments is. He was a difference-maker in the Montreal series and found himself constantly in big moments and threatening to make big plays. Think of this more as a quarterly grade for now, but one he’s earned.

The Future is Bright

With Alex Tuch appearing to be out the door and rumors swirling surrounding the future of Bowen Byram, the door is open for Helenius to play a much larger role beginning in 2026-27. The sample size we’ve seen is very small, but Helenius has shown more than the numbers tell us.

Helenius will almost certainly play a top six role for the Sabres as soon as next season. His ability to play both center and wing is invaluable, allowing him to play throughout the lineup. The Sabres clearly have a player on their hands in Helenius.