Konsta Helenius, a 19-year-old forward and the Buffalo Sabres’ 2024 first-round pick, made a notable impact during the team’s preseason. In the opening game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 22, Helenius scored a highlight-reel goal, which set the tone for his strong preseason performance. He was the only player to participate in each of the first four games, contributing one goal and two assists.
Rochester Americans coach Michael Leone highlighted Helenius’ style of play: “Going into the preseason, I thought you saw a lot of what Konsta did at the end of the year with playoffs,” Leone said. “When he’s physically engaged and he’s skating and he’s attacking the game, I think you see the best version of himself. And I thought he was really assertive in the games. I think the first game in Columbus, he might have had seven, eight hits. I think when Konsta [Helenius] is playing his best, he’s almost like a rat. He’s engaged, he’s in scrums, and then you let his skill take over, and I thought you saw a lot of that in in the preseason.”
During one exhibition match with veterans Jason Zucker and Alex Tuch as linemates—a sign of trust from coach Lindy Ruff—Helenius assisted on a game-winning goal but also served a late penalty. Ruff decided to give him another opportunity on an important defensive shift late in regulation. Helenius said about this moment: “Yeah, it was nice that he gave me a chance to get it back,” Helenius said. “It was a stupid penalty, and then [Ruff] just put me 6-on-5. So, just got to give that effort and move on.” Ruff’s decision was based on seeing how Helenius would respond under pressure.
Zucker praised his young teammate: “I think he’s going to be a really good player in this league for a long time,” Zucker said.
Helenius is set to begin his second full season with Rochester after finishing last year with 35 points in 65 games and being named to the AHL Top Prospects Team. His performance improved significantly toward season’s end—including six points in eight Calder Cup Playoff games—and he helped Finland win silver at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships.
Leone noted Helenius’ development since joining North American hockey: “I think the most important thing for Konsta is continuing to play the right way,” Leone said. “His habits and details away from the puck are ultimately, I think, what gets him to the next level, but his ceiling is whatever he wants to make it, because he could be a really good player.
“It’s really important for him to get off to a really good start and make sure he’s not focused on points. I think that’s a really good thing with young kids is scoring points. Really, if you play the game the right way, you do the right things, you’re ultimately going to get rewarded. Making sure that he’s locked into those things, and then with his skill set and the way he can play, he’ll produce.”
Helenius expressed optimism about his second year: “Try to do better than last year, because everyone here wants to play in the NHL,” Helenius said. “I try to get better every day here and play in the NHL. That’s the goal.”
Other prospects were also discussed by Leone:
Radim Mrtka made an impression during both Prospects Challenge games and preseason exhibitions as an 18-year-old defenseman drafted ninth overall in 2025 by Buffalo; Mrtka recorded one goal and one assist across four games while demonstrating physicality against older competition.
Simon-Pier Brunet began his season as captain of Victoriaville Tigres after being traded from Drummondville Voltigeurs; through five QMJHL games Brunet led his team’s defensemen with seven assists.
In addition, Melvin Novotny (Muskegon) and Ryan Rucinski (Youngstown), both seventh-round picks playing their first USHL seasons since attending Sabres prospect camp together as linemates under Leone’s guidance—have each started strongly: Novotny has six points (four goals) in six games while Rucinski has five points through six appearances.
Leone commented on their progress: “Every player, once you get to prospect camp, it’s a clean slate… They’re late-round picks but I thought both players played really good… They’re highly competitive players.” On Rucinski specifically: “Ryan is just a worker,” Leone said. “He’s just relentless on the puck… Both are really good kids and really good, in my opinion, late-round picks.”
