LGR4GM

No he did not. You can't call every freaking player from Europe who isn't 6'4" 230lbs a soft figure skater. It just isn't true. Very good 200ft player, "detailed" is the word often used. He knows where to be and when and he doesn't take zones off.

High floor yes. You don't put up some of the best ppg in Liiga for a 17yr old ever without being good. He was the 5th overall in Liiga history for a draft eligible skater. Ceiling wise is hard because unlike the SHL guys who I just don't worry about, Finnish league guys I don't wanna say I worry but how will they translate to the NA ice. Should be interesting and some guys get better on the smaller ice, dev camp is interesting now. Is he actually better than Östlund or Savoie or Kulich? I agree.

I do just wanna say that me liking a specific guy like Nygard, doesn't mean I don't like Helenius.

Helenius is closer to Benson than he is Östlund. If that helps anyone.

I am in the pick thread, not here.

His consolidated ranking was 11 and the lowest I see him in that list is 15 and the highest is 6

I will add that Helenius in comparison to Nygard is 7 months younger. Nygard is closer to Benson than Helenius so Helenius really has that growth potential. My concern is that Liiga is not a fast league, go watch it. Players can play fast but the speed in transition and the darting play that you see all over the NA game is just not really there because theres more ice and they just play a bit different. If Helenius adapts to the NA ice and can play with better pace, I think he could be pretty good. There's a bunch of NHL players that are really good 2nd line guys that aren't particularly flashy. We will see how he develops, I would focus on burst, handling, and let him continue to improve his shot.

No, Östlund's game is built on his skating and shiftiness. He is light even 2 years later at 5'10" maybe 170lbs and he uses his skating to get him out of trouble and run a really effective rush game. Helenius has good not great skating and he uses what I think is a more translatable skillset of give and goes and his stick and body checking work is better than Ostlunds.

Oh, I have no issue with taking Helenius. It let's us know the analytics department is important. Helenius might be NHL ready within the year, he already plays against men in the 3rd or maybe 4th best pro league (NHL, SHL, AHL, Liiga?). He will need to work on pace of play the most because Liiga is slower and the ice is bigger but he's not bad at anything. Again, it just isn't sexy but he's good.

Okay, you keep saying this and no. Konsta Helenius is not a soft fluffy euro guy floating around the ice hoping his perm doesn't get ruffled. He engages physically the way you should and has good checking skills. He is not afraid of contact at all and also has a solid skill set. He just isn't sexy but man is he solid. 5'11" 189lbs at 18 is pretty solid.

I don't expect any pick outside of the top 5 or 6 in just about any draft to be a top liner.

He does. Liiga teams could always loan him out though or he could make the NHL team (don't shoot the messenger)

He's solid defensively but he lacks the higher end skills to really be anything more than a middle 6 center at the NHL level. Could he develop them? Yes he could, but right now he needs to add about 25% more handling and 20% more dynamic skating (aka cuts and direction changes)

I was actually surprised he didn't have it when I looked.

I don't

Nope, he's dt at the draft party It lives!!!!

He didn't pass the eye test for me. Just not enough pace and grit.

Sigh. Yea but like, I wanna make the playoffs.

Wow Luchanko going at 13. Was hoping they'd take Helenius as a center.

If you feel comfortable, post picks if Buffalo uses their pick. Would be cool.

Buium finally goes