Konsta Helenius is starting to look like the kind of prospect who can force his way into a bigger NHL role sooner rather than later, and that’s exactly why he landed on Michael Traikos’ list of five breakout candidates for the 2026-27 season on The Hockey News’ main site.
For the Sabres, the appeal is easy to see. Helenius was a 2024 first-round pick, and he has already taken a clear jump in his development.
His first AHL season with the Rochester Americans in 2024-25 was solid, with 14 goals and 35 points in 65 games. Then he turned that into a much louder statement the following year, piling up 21 goals and 63 points in 63 games for Rochester in 2025-26.
That production earned him a look in Buffalo, and he made the most of it. Helenius appeared in nine regular-season games for the Sabres last season, scoring one goal and four points. He also added two goals in four playoff games.
At this stage, the arrow is pointed up. Helenius has already shown plenty of promise, and if he keeps building on what he did in Rochester, he could become an important piece of Buffalo’s top nine next season. A 40-point season is not out of the question, either.
There’s also a path where he pushes for even more. If the next step comes, Helenius could be in the mix for a spot on the Sabres’ second line and power play in 2026-27.
In Other News...
Sabres Prospect Is Forcing A Tough Decision Buffalo Can't Dodge
The Sabres have already made one hard pivot by moving on from key pieces Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram once it was clear long-term extensions were not coming, and that kind of roster churn only sharpens the pressure on the next wave. With Buffalo potentially heading into the 2026-27 season with the group it has now, internal growth is no longer just a talking point. It is part of the plan, and prospect Konsta Helenius is one of the young players whose progress matters most.
Helenius has given the organization reasons to believe, from his promise last season to his work in international play, and he is now part of a larger roster question Buffalo cannot keep kicking down the road. The Sabres have waiver-exempt young forwards who can either stay in the NHL and learn on the fly or go to the AHL for more seasoning, and the decision gets tougher when a prospect starts making a case that he belongs. For a team trying to avoid another year of false starts, how it handles that next step may say a lot about how seriously it is leaning into the future. [Read more 🡒]