Sabres' Konsta Helenius receives boost in quest to earn NHL roster spot

NHL head coaches, including Buffalo Sabres bench boss Lindy Ruff, often try to conceal lineup decisions throughout the regular season as a way to create a competitive advantage. They force opponents to prepare for a couple different alternatives on a nightly basis.

One telltale sign often spoils the surprise, though: the team's special-teams units.

A similar theory can be used to forecast that Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius currently has an inside track to start the season at the NHL level. The 20-year-old Finland native was operating with Buffalo's No. 2 power-play group on Friday, per Crossing Swords:

It's the second factor that's working in Helenius' favor early in camp.

His chances of sticking with the Blue and Gold, rather than being sent down to the AHL's Rochester Americans, also received a boost when the organization announced veteran winger Jason Zucker would likely miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign after sports hernia surgery.

The Sabres were expected to have 10 or 11 forwards in the battle for a top-nine lineup spot but taking Zucker out of the equation, at least for a short time, creates a clearer path for Helenius.

Quite frankly, the 2024 first-round pick should be a member of Buffalo's roster regardless of the surrounding circumstances based on his performance last season.

Helenius scored 63 points (21 goals and 42 assists) in 63 appearances for the Amerks. He also delivered two goals in four playoff games with the Sabres, who inserted him in their second-round lineup against the Montreal Canadiens, and then played a starring role to help the Finnish national team capture a gold medal at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.

Never once did it appear the 5-foot-11 forward, who can play either center or wing, was out of place while playing in those pressure-packed situations to close out the hockey year. In fact, he was typically one of the most dangerous players on the ice.

Now, with Buffalo trying to replace the production of Alex Tuch, who was sent to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal over the offseason, it's making a significant bet on internal improvement, and Helenius' expected growth is a key part of that.

All signs point toward him being on Ruff's lineup card when the Sabres open the regular season Oct. 1 with a road trip to face the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Updated predictions for Buffalo Sabres' initial 2026-27 forward lines

Ruff and Buffalo general manager Jarmo Kekalainen made it clear the limited amount of ramp-up time before puck drops on the regular season means they're going to focus on getting players in their likely roles almost immediately. There isn't a ton of time for experimentation.

That's a promising sign for Helenius, who's skated in the middle six during the first few days of camp, along with his power-play assignments on Friday.

So, how might the Sabres take the ice for the opener against the Blue Jackets? Here's an early guess:

Those lines would leave Justin Danforth as the 13th forward.

For the most part, they represent what the Sabres have shown so far in camp practices. The exception is Jiri Kulich, who's returning after missing most of last season with a blood clot, swapping up to the top line and Peyton Krebs sliding down to the bottom trio.

Krebs did modestly well while playing alongside Tuch and Tage Thompson on the first line last season, but his lack of offensive impact makes him better served for the bottom six. Meanwhile, Kulich hasn't built the reputation in own zone necessary to play a defensive matchup role.

Maybe it sticks for a little while to limit Kulich's minutes out of the gate, at least until the coaching staff feels like he's truly back up to full speed, but it's hard to imagine that type of alignment holding firm throughout the 84-game schedule.

Beyond that, Ryan McLeod and Noah Ostlund could change places, especially if McLeod returns to form in the faceoff circle, but the lines as a whole really showcase how much flexibility Ruff will have to mix and match until everything clicks up front.

The Sabres may have to shake things up a bit once Zucker is cleared to return but injuries are constant throughout an NHL season, so those issues tend to work themselves out.

Buffalo's first preseason contest is scheduled for Monday on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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