Philadelphia Flyers Should Prioritize Drafting Konsta Helenius – Hockey Writers – Flyers Prospects

After the press conference where the general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers (GM) Danny Briere did not give away too many details, there is one thing he made clear—nothing is on the table for him leading up to the 2024 NHL Draft. Other things he said too? Building a center, and taking the best player off the draft board.

Konsta Helenius, a 5-foot-11, 181-pound centerman who played his 2023-24 campaign professionally in Liiga, checks that first box. With the fourth-highest points in his league's history among 17-year-olds (36), he seems to have been tested for second. But what makes him so special? Why is he good for the Orange and Black? Let's check.

Helenus Can Complete Michkov Offensively

One thing to like about Helenius is that he and Russian power forward Matvei Michkov could be a formidable force together in Philadelphia. The Finnish center is by no means the most exciting prospect in the class, but his style of play is visible in the NHL and could be a real asset to a team that already seems to have its star.

Let's first find out why Helenius is so good. First of all, he doesn't really have any weaknesses other than the fact that he's not strong. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time as an excellent supporter on the forehead. He's not a serious hunter, but he's very willing to connect near the walls—he won those puck battles against older men in Finland's top league, many times. A good puck protector, who can allow Michkov to show his dominance in the area. The more space he has, the better—Helenius can create it by acting as a forerunner or by forcing opponents to close in on him, which he does quite often.

Helenius isn't an elite player, but he's still very strong in that aspect when space is freed up—that's one of the biggest things the Flyers lack. Michkov can't do literally everything offensively, even if he's a master in every sense of the word. He needs some help, and that's what Helenius can provide. One of the most cerebral players in the class of 2024, one thing Helenius doesn't lack is creativity—that creativity will allow Michkov to do his thing and take care of him. This is exactly what the Flyers should be looking for.

Helenius didn't always finish off his teammates with the chances he created, and Michkov had to do a lot for himself and a low-ranked team in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)—he still has a terrible total (41 points). in 48 games) despite that and a bout of pneumonia. Helenius doesn't have a strong talent for hanging defenders off their skates, but Michkov does. With a partner who can create for himself and is strong without the puck, this is where the Russian dynamo can thrive. He will have more opportunities to express his talent without actually having to do everything himself.

Helenus Has Two Official Sides

In the NHL, we often call the bottom six players who play effectively against only the top six “two-way players,” which is not entirely accurate. The two true leaders in the NHL are those who excel at both ends of the ice while simultaneously playing with the best. At any center or in general, the Flyers don't have a player like him.

Related: Flyers Need Two Way Elite Center To Rebuild

Especially at his age, Helenius has a defensive responsibility. He rarely allowed goals on the ice even with a career high for a 17-year-old playing in the major leagues, which is already encouraging. He was elite with outlets and he was very good at receiving. The fact that he is free to put aside projects is good for his future. He's not afraid to get his nose dirty, which is all the Flyers can ask for.

With Helenius being more involved defensively and even supporting the burst when helping clear the puck, that could bode well for the Flyers. One of Michkov's faults is that he is not an effective defensive player, and he doesn't try to be – it will limit his attack and be a counter-type. Helenius could be a well-rounded first-line center that could help mask this, in a sense.

Also, we see a lot of championship teams with top defensive centers, especially nowadays. Pavel Datsyuk, Patrice Bergeron, Jonathan Toews, Anze Kopitar, and Ryan O'Reilly have all won at least one Selke Trophy, had a point in every playoff season, won a Stanley Cup, and played a key role on a championship team. Helenius, although the big “if” may be if he reaches his roof. Actually, it's not that hard to visualize.

As a true two-way center, Helenius finds that hole lined with Orange and Black. The fact that Morgan Frost, while very good, is the best center in Philadelphia and they have nothing else in the pipeline says a lot about where they are. They need someone to work in the first place and they can find it here.

Helenus Supports the Flyers Revolution Philosophy

Whether or not the Flyers stick to the same routines when Michkov is on the team is a mystery, but they'll likely still rely on their play in transition—that's one of Michkov's strengths, too. Fortunately, this is another area where Helenus is very good.

Helenius doesn't have crazy speed or anything, but he's very good at both supporting runs and actually creating himself. All of the Flyers' offense has come from their neutral zone play, so it's clear they'll enjoy this one without hope.

The level of deception in Helenus' game also makes transition situations work well for her. The Flyers weren't very good on the offensive end — especially on the power play — in 2023-24. Helenius is smart enough to be able to do this with regularity and keep the puck on his stick at all times so that the scoring opportunity comes from him. This is another advantage of Michkov.

Where will Helenus live?

It is somewhat difficult to work out where Helenius will go, as he could go anywhere. There is some great talent in the 2024 NHL Draft, and that's especially true on defense—which could lead to him slipping, but also moving up to a team in need of a forward.

Logan Horn of the Hockey Writers had Helenius going 16th overall in his latest mock draft, but that seems a little late in my eyes. Even with the weak U18 tournament and the U20 World Junior Championship, he had seven assists in five games in the previous tournament and showed all the qualities mentioned above in both. The goaltending wasn't great overall with nine points in 12 games combined, but he was still the same player. In the end, I think we see him go through the early teenage years.

After the seventh pick, that's when it starts to have a chance for Helenius to get caught. Interestingly, that seventh pick belongs to the Ottawa Senators, and we've seen a little speculation on that front on Twitter/X. Nothing comes of it, but it's something to remember.

For a moment, let's entertain the idea that the Flyers and Senators were asking about a trade. Let's also entertain the idea that the Flyers were moving up to the seventh overall pick, which has been suggested by several other posts. It seems that Briere is willing to do anything to protect his top player, and may be willing to acquire a second first-round pick for two top prospects.

If the Flyers are considering the latter, it should be Helenus first. Pure attacking ability abounds in the class, but one thing it lacks is a player like Helenius. There is a way to get him, it's just a matter of how much Briere wants it to happen.

On draft day, there will be talk that Helenius has no offensive offense and that he is a two-way player with a low ceiling but high upside. In itself, that's not really what the Flyers need – talent is what they want. But make no mistake: Helenus is what they need. He seems pretty special, so the Orange and Black should do whatever it takes to get him.