BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres first-round pick and 14th overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft is now the first player in this year's draft class to sign his entry-level contract with the organization.
The Sabres did not waste any time following a long week at Development Camp to make it official for the 18-year-old centre Konsta Helenius. It is a three-year deal for Helenius which now opens up his options in terms of where he will and can play next season.
Helenius could return to Finland to play in their top professional league again or he could end up with the Rochester Americans and the team's new head coach Mike Leone. Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams however did not completely close the door just yet on the Finland native starting in Buffalo either.
"He's a player that could be there, could be in Buffalo, Rochester, really anything's on the table," Adams said. "It's certainly something we'll get into right away with his agent and start that conversation. We're always open to things. We want to hear what the player has to say and the agent in terms of what they feel is the best for their development, but this is a player we'd like to get over here as fast as possible."
"Go back 12 months ago," Adams said. "We're open to these things. You always balance, we want to make sure we're putting a player in a position to succeed, but you know this is a player we have really high expectations for and we think is closer rather than further away."
Helenius will now look to the Sabres Prospects Challenge in early September followed up by training camp shortly after.