The “Kid Line” is one of those timeless hockey traditions that keeps resurfacing every few decades-whenever a trio of young, electric talents lights up the ice with the kind of chemistry you can’t teach. From the original Toronto Maple Leafs’ version in the 1930s to the Oilers’ youthful combos of the ’90s and early 2000s, and more recently, the Rangers’ 2021-22 trio of Chytil, Kakko, and Lafrenière, the nickname has always signaled something special: a glimpse at the future, delivered in real time.
Now, it looks like Buffalo might be next in line to carry that torch.
**Zach Benson. Noah Östlund.
Konsta Helenius. **
Three names Sabres fans-and really, hockey fans across the league-need to start paying close attention to. Because if the early signs are any indication, this trio could be Buffalo’s own version of the “Kid Line,” and they’re arriving just in time for the most important stretch of the season.
Let’s break it down, starting with Zach Benson, the 2023 first-round pick who’s quietly putting together a breakout year. After a solid rookie campaign (30 points in 71 games), Benson hit a bit of a sophomore slump last season, managing just 28 points across 75 games.
But this year, he’s taken a noticeable step forward. Through 38 games, he’s already racked up 23 points-six goals and 17 assists-and is on pace to crack the 50-point mark.
That’s not just growth; that’s a player figuring out the NHL game and starting to thrive within it.
Then there’s Noah Östlund, Buffalo’s 2022 first-rounder. His path to the NHL has been a little longer, a little less direct-developing in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan and then moving up to the SHL before joining the AHL’s Rochester Americans.
He made his NHL debut late last season, but didn’t hit the scoresheet in his first eight games. This year, though, he’s starting to find his footing.
With nine goals and nine assists through 38 games, Östlund is showing that he can contribute consistently-and that his blend of speed, vision, and tenacity is translating at the highest level.
And then there’s the newest face of the trio: Konsta Helenius. Drafted in 2024, Helenius spent the early part of this season with Rochester and also suited up for Finland’s World Juniors squad.
But since getting the call-up on January 15 and making his NHL debut four days later, he’s wasted no time making an impression. In his first three games, Helenius has already tallied four points, including a three-point night against the Nashville Predators.
That’s the kind of debut that turns heads-not just because of the numbers, but because of how comfortable and confident he looked doing it.
Put these three together, and you’ve got something that’s more than just potential-you’ve got a line that’s already starting to impact games. And with roughly 30 games left in the regular season, the Sabres are going to need every ounce of production they can get from their young guns.
Buffalo is in a fascinating spot right now. They’re tenth in the league in scoring and seventh on the penalty kill-both signs of a team that’s trending in the right direction. But they’re still middle-of-the-pack on the power play, and their goals against numbers (19th in the league) show there’s work to be done if they’re going to make a serious playoff push.
The good news? The core is producing.
Tage Thompson is averaging a point per game. Rasmus Dahlin continues to be a force on the blue line.
Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker bring the kind of veteran presence that’s crucial this time of year. But if the Sabres want to not just make the playoffs, but become a team that stays there year after year, it’s going to be up to players like Benson, Östlund, and Helenius to keep rising.
Because here’s the truth: a lot of this roster hasn’t tasted playoff hockey. And when the pressure ratchets up in March and April, when every shift starts to feel like a Game 7, it’s not always the stars who carry you-it’s the depth, the secondary scoring, the unexpected heroes. That’s where the “Kid Line” comes in.
This final stretch of the season is the perfect proving ground. For Thompson and Dahlin, it’s a chance to finally break through and end one of the longest playoff droughts in pro sports.
For the kids, it’s a crash course in what it takes to play meaningful hockey in the spring. And for Buffalo fans, it’s a glimpse of what could be a very bright future-one that’s arriving faster than anyone expected.
So, remember the names: **Benson. Östlund.
Helenius. **
They’re not just the next wave-they might be the spark that gets the Sabres over the hump.