Devils 2024 NHL Draft Profile: Konsta Helenius

Konsta Helenius had an outstanding year in the Liiga. Could the New Jersey Devils draft him 10th overall and add some needed center depth to their system?

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The New Jersey Devils will have a top-10 draft pick at the 2024 draft in about a month and a half. While they could trade it, odds are they make the selection and add a prospect to their system. They sit in a good spot, as plenty of quality names should be available to them. 

The first player we'll look at is Konsta Helenius, who had an outstanding season as a 17-year-old in the Liiga. Let's dive into his game and why he could be someone the Devils consider drafting.

Rankings

• NHL Central Scouting (EU): 3

• Elite Prospects: 12

• TSN/Bob McKenzie: 9

• TSN/Craig Button: 7

• FLOHockey/Chris Peters: 9

• Daily Faceoff: 12

• Sportsnet/Cosentino: 13

• Sportsnet/Bukala: 14

Helenius spent this past season with Jukurit in the Liiga, potting 14 goals and 36 points in 51 games. He also added two goals and six points in six playoff games for Jukurit, all while being 17 years old (he just turned 18 yesterday). He was a star for Finland's national team at the U18 and U20 levels, totaling 20 points across 25 games in all competitions. 

The first thing that stands out about Helenius is his hockey sense, smarts, or however you want to put it. He is a very smart player and sees the game better than anyone else on the ice, at least in the Liiga. He uses those smarts in all facets of the game, whether it's in the defensive zone or in transition.

Helenius uses his hockey IQ to find open space in the offensive zone or to make skillful passes to his teammates for scoring chances. On the forecheck, he knows when to be aggressive and when to let up. He's sound two ways, which helps him turn defense into offense because he backchecks and is responsible defensively. 

Another standout of Helenius' game is his physicality. He plays pretty physically for someone who's only 5-foot-11, 181 pounds. He'll use his frame to protect the puck when retrieving dump-ins, and his work ethic is quite impressive for someone who's "undersized."

There's no question Helenius has quite the motor. He's hard on pucks and does not shy away from physical contact. Helenius would bring some motor and blue-collar work ethic to a Devils team that some consider soft since he seems to have that dawg in him. 

Helenius also excels in transition. He's not the quickest skater, but his smarts help him move the puck well. Per Lassi Alanen's tracked data, there wasn't an area where Helenius particularly struggled in transition this past season in the Liiga: