The Buffalo Sabres are counting on their young players to take a real step forward in 2026-27, and that puts Lindy Ruff in the familiar spot of deciding which prospects can handle the moments that matter most.
Konsta Helenius looks like one of the easiest names to circle. Buffalo’s top prospect has already shown he can rise when the stage gets bigger. In the spring, he scored two goals after joining the lineup in the second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, then helped Finland win gold at the IIHF World Championship.
That resume was enough for Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com to put Helenius among the league’s rookies to watch this season, and Morreale’s evaluation was strong.
"He's more of a polished, intelligent center than a pure highlight-reel player. If Buffalo gives him power-play time or strong linemates, he can put up numbers. The 20-year-old is the kind of player coaches trust, which means his ice time could grow faster than people expect."
NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale
That trust factor matters in Buffalo. Ruff has always leaned toward players who make the right read, compete hard and keep the game simple enough to be reliable.
That’s part of why Peyton Krebs keeps getting first-line chances despite limited offensive flash. Helenius fits that same lane.
The 2024 first-round pick put together a huge year for the AHL’s Rochester Americans, piling up 63 points - 21 goals and 42 assists - in 63 games even while playing behind a roster hit by injuries, Buffalo recalls and trades. At that level, he has already checked every box.
The real question now is what comes next in the NHL. Can Helenius become a true difference-maker for the Sabres, or is he headed toward a role as a secondary scorer?
He isn’t built to win with one eye-popping skill. He won’t beat defenders with dazzling stickhandling, he isn’t close to the fastest skater on the ice, and his shot doesn’t qualify as elite. The concern is simple: there isn’t one obvious calling card that jumps off the page.
What he does have is a game that travels. Helenius works in all three zones, can line up at center or wing and rarely disappears for a shift. With the puck, he plays north-south and looks to get the play moving toward dangerous ice.
That kind of profile can earn trust quickly, especially from a coach like Ruff. If Helenius keeps making the right plays, his role could expand faster than expected, and he has enough scoring touch to grow into an important top-six piece before long.
There will be some adjustment, though. Helenius scored at a strong rate everywhere he played as a junior in Finland, but the NHL trims down the room to operate.
Space disappears. Long-range chances dry up.
Getting inside becomes the whole game.
That showed a little during his brief NHL look last season, when he had one goal and three assists in nine games with Buffalo during the 2025-26 regular season. He’s not walking into the league as an instant point-per-game scorer the way he was in the AHL.
Opportunity will matter too. His production will depend on whether he settles into the top six, who he skates with and whether he gets power-play minutes.
So the numbers this season probably won’t look anything like what he can eventually deliver at his peak. Still, there’s real upside if the season breaks right. If he stays healthy through the full 84-game schedule and eventually earns a spot on Buffalo’s top power-play unit, he could make a late push past the 50-point mark.
Long term, Helenius has the look of a player who can land in the 70-point range at his best. Add in the defensive work and transition value, and Buffalo may have found a core piece for years to come.
For now, the ask is simpler: keep moving forward and help absorb the loss of Alex Tuch, who went to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal.
Helenius appears ready for that job, especially with support from other young pieces like Noah Ostlund and Jiri Kulich.
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Still, Buffalo cannot treat this like a simple fit-and-finish move. The Jets have not yet received an offer they view as strong enough, with age, recent performance, playoff concerns and salary all part of the hesitation around the market. On Buffalos side, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonens limited no-trade clause and Jarmo Kekalainens confidence in the current goalie trio only add to the complexity, which is why this is the kind of situation the Sabres can track closely without rushing into anything. [Read more 🡒]
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The Sabres are using the preseason to test more than just their lineup, and Jiri Kulich is at the center of that evaluation. Buffalo plans to move him around in multiple spots, a sign the coaching staff wants to see how far his versatility can go before the games start to count. Lindy Ruff has already spoken positively about the way Kulich has handled that expanded look, which makes this week a little more than a routine exhibition stop.
One of the most interesting wrinkles comes against the Detroit Red Wings, where Kulich is slated to get a chance to work with Konsta Helenius and Noah Ostlund. It is the kind of look that can tell the Sabres a lot about where he fits long term, especially if the chemistry shows up quickly. The same game also gives Buffalo another first-time checkpoint, with defenseman Gavin McCarthy set to make his NHL preseason debut as the club continues sorting through younger pieces and where they belong. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Suddenly Have A Big Top Pair Decision Before Opening Night
The Sabres came out of their recent game with more than just bumps and bruises, and the immediate concern is on the blue line. Olen Zellweger is recovering from a concussion and said he is feeling better, while Mattias Samuelsson also exited with a lower-body injury, leaving Buffalo to sort through its defensive depth with opening night approaching.
Lindy Ruff is already weighing different pairings to cover the losses, and the ripple effect could reshape the top end of the defense if Samuelsson is sidelined for any stretch. With Rasmus Dahlin entrenched on the first pair, Buffalo suddenly has a real early test in deciding who best fits next to him while the lineup waits for answers on how long the injuries will linger. [Read more 🡒]