Rochester Americans forward and Buffalo Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius has been named to the 2024-25 AHL Top Prospects Team, the league announced Wednesday. Heleniu, who is just 19 years old, was the youngest regular in the AHL this season. He recorded 35 points across 65 games as a rookie with the Americans.
His scoring included a four-game goal streak in November and ended with five goals in five games to conclude the regular season. He also added six points during Rochester’s eight-game Calder Cup Playoff run.
Helenius earned the praise of his coaches and teammates for his skating and defensive effort throughout the year. Helenius was in his first year of professional hockey after the Sabres drafted the Finnish native with the 14th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The Sabres continue to prove they have a top farm system year in and year out. As Kevyn Adams has them ranked in the Top 10 constantly.
If he could get more pieces and put them all together, the Sabres would be a tough team to beat in the future.
Since 2020, all first-round picks for the Sabres have made their NHL debut, except Helenius, and a majority of 2nd round picks have also been on the Sabres roster.
Out of those 11 picks since 2020, 9 have played for the Sabres, and almost all of them are still with the Sabres now.
This marks the third-annual AHL Top Prospects Team, which is voted on by the league and its general managers and consists of three forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender. The Sabres have had a player represented every year, as Jiri Kulich was selected in both 2023 and 2024.
This year's team consists of the following players:
Konsta Helenius – F, Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres)
Bradly Nadeau – F, Chicago Wolves (Carolina Hurricanes)
Dalibor Dvorksy – F, Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis Blues)
Scott Morrow – D, Chicago Wolves (Carolina Hurricanes)
Logan Mailloux – D, Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens)
Jet Greaves – G, Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Jet Greaves, a Blue Jackets goaltender, was looked at as a piece the Sabres can trade for in the future as his contract expires soon, and he’s one of the best up-and-coming goalies in the NHL.
Helenius looked great in his first season in Rochester, and I expect him to start the season there again for the 2025-2026 season. Helenius will still be 19 and is set to make a big jump next season, with the possibility of making his NHL debut with the Sabres.
It’s only a matter of time before Helenius makes his impact on the Sabres roster and can push this team to become a contender in the future.