Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day our LWOS Prospects Writers will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2024 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow Ben Kerr, and Frederik Frandson on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! Today we bring you our Konsta Helenius Scouting Report.
While its almost a certainty that Macklin Celebrini is the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the rest of the draft is far more open. Both Konsta Helenius and Ivan Demidov are predicted to go there second and third. The order however is up in the air. Both are incredible talents, but here we have gone for the finish center with wonderful playmaking abilities. Helenius has had a great first full season in the top league in Finland.
He has scored 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points in 51 regular season games. This also includes six points in six playoff games. What makes that even more impressive is that he has done it in a pro men’s league with a reputation as one of the best in Europe. Establishing himself as a full time player in a league like that is a testament to the skillset he possess.
Internationally Helenius didn’t quite have the World Juniors that many expected. Finland didn’t have a great tournament and it showed on Helenius individual tournament. He was battling hard but the production was lacking, as he only had one goal and one assist in seven games. The lone downside to an overall great season for what might be Finland’s next superstar.
Konsta Helenius 2024 NHL Draft Scouting Report
Centre/Right Wing — shoots Right
Born May 11th, 2006 — Ylöjärvi, Finland
Height 5’11″ — Weight 181 lbs [180 cm/82 kg]
Skating
One of the reasons Konsta Helenius is such a strong player, and has managed to play in the best finish league is his skating. Its exceptional and explosive, with strong a strong foundation. . He has an excellent first step and his acceleration is among the best in the league. Mechanics he is extremely smooth with great edges and four way skating. This allows him to fully utilize his brilliant work rate, to get across the ice with purpose and efficiency.
His top speed isn’t the highest, but its high enough that it allows to cover a lot of the ice. As a player who plays a 200-foot game, this is vital for his success. It also allows for him to be strong in transition, as he can change the pace of the rush and catch opponents off guard. A strong weapon that will only get stronger as he finetune his skating and develops a higher top speed.
Offensive Game
Where Celebrini is the top prize of the draft, whoever gets Helenius should not despite. The team that picks the finish center will get a playmaker who has an incredibly high hockey IQ. He reads the game extremely well and has an amazing vision. When the puck is on his stick, his creativity and has amazing passing abilities comes into play, as he finds and creates room with ease. He also reads the ice before anyone else, making him incredibly quick overall. Not just in terms of his acceleration, but also in terms of everything else. He always seems to be the first to notice the way a play develops and moves with no hesitation to capitalize on it.
Another strong weapon that is a bit more underrated is his shot. While its not as good as his passing, it has a decent amount of both power and sharpness to it. Its a shot that is used in a very deceptive way and while his release isn’t lightning quick like with Celebrini or other top snipers in the league, its more than good enough to catch goalies off guard. Especially with his ability to do the unexpected. He is able to do both passing and shooting in identical situations, making him hard to read as a goaltender and defender.
The last noticeable thing with Helenius is how he isn’t intimidated by anything. Despite a smaller stature, he doesn’t shy away or hid at the perimeters. He will instead often go to the net and get physical with players both much older and bigger than him. An ability that keeps him engaged in the game and makes him a treat from anywhere offensively. Add to that his very fun style with a lot of confidence and swagger, and you get one of the most fun offensive players to watch in the draft.
Defensive Game
As mentioned above Helenius has a strong two-way game, where both his skating and IQ are key. His positioning is great and allows him to make interceptions of passes and sense danger. His ability to see the game quicker than anyone also allows him to get into the areas where plays often ends up and stop the chance with an active stick or block. Another key factor is that he is incredibly well coached and has a great drive and work rate. Things that aren’t unusual in finish hockey, and Helenius is another finish center with those defensive qualities. In other words he is what would be a dream player to all coaches in the NHL. The only slight concern is his size, since he will struggle a bit to be as good physically in the NHL. Both offensively and defensively.
Projection and Comparison
Its wont be long on draft night before we hear Konsta Helenius name called. That much is almost certain. The question is if he would then return to Finland for a last season in Liiga or go straight to North America. In many ways his game is NHL ready and what isn’t ready, won’t hamper him too badly. His shot is good, but needs a bit more power and getting a adjusted to the physically is something he can do gradually. The passing is more than NHL ready and with the right coach, who allows him to be creative offensively, Helenius should work instantly. His style is similar to as a finish version of Trevor Zegras or a smaller Sebastian Aho. All in all Helenius should be a player that would be a great second liner on most teams who can score around 60 to 70 points per season.
Main Photo: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
