There was nothing left for Sabres first-round pick Konsta Helenius to prove in Finland, as he dominated during his final season there. Although it seemed like Helenius might return to Liiga for another year, he will instead be joining the Sabres system this season.
While Helenius won’t be another Zach Benson, which might actually be beneficial given the limited spots in the Sabres lineup, his presence could allow the team to make several moves. One significant trade, hinted at in a previous piece, could now become a reality.
This trade likely wouldn’t involve Helenius, or at least it shouldn’t. Instead, players like Jiri Kulich or Isak Rosen might be included, with Helenius stepping in to replace one of them in Rochester. Helenius might have the highest potential among them, and with the Sabres already well-stocked at forward, apart from needing a top-six scorer, this creates new possibilities.
Konsta Helenius’ arrival might indirectly set the stage for a major trade for the Sabres.
If Helenius has a higher ceiling than Isak Rosen or Jiri Kulich, why would another team prefer one of the latter two? The answer lies in Rosen’s and Kulich’s experience in North America and their solid performance since 2022-23.
Rosen and Kulich may not have Helenius’ potential, but they’re closer to being NHL-ready, making them more attractive to teams like the Anaheim Ducks (with Trevor Zegras and Frank Vatrano) or the San Jose Sharks (with Mikael Granlund).
Although San Jose and Anaheim are still at least a year or two away from being serious contenders, they’d likely prefer players with North American experience over someone like Helenius, despite his potential. Therefore, Kulich and Rosen are more likely to be traded than Helenius.
So why wouldn’t the Sabres make this trade even if Helenius were to remain in Finland? They certainly could, but with Helenius developing and expected to become an impact player by 2024-25, this opens the door for a move. This would give Helenius more ice time this season, while Kulich and/or Rosen could get a chance with an NHL team that can accommodate them.
