Konsta Helenius Profile, is he a Future Chicago Blackhawk?

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With nearly 150 days until Kyle Davidson and the Chicago Blackhawks make their 1st round selection(s), it's important to note that all of these prospect profile articles will be updated as their junior / professional seasons come to a close. There is however a need to quickly familiarize, as a Blackhawks fan, ones self with some of the truly standout draft eligible players that may be on Chicago's radar at the moment.

Thus far, Blackhawk Up has looked at prospects such as Cayden Lindstrom, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Dickinson, Berkly Catton and Ivan Demidov. Today, let's take a closer look at Finish forward Konsta Helenius.

IHOCKEY-JUNIOR-SVK-FIN / BJORN LARSSON ROSVALL/GettyImages

Helenius is a 5'11 181lb RW out of Ylojarvi, Finland that recently played for Team Finland at the World Juniors and plays in Liiga for Jukurit. Young for the class (will turn 18 in the month before the draft), Helenius has produced at a remarkable rate in Liiga with 28 points in 37 games (9g, 19a) as a 17 year old. This is quite the jump from his D-2 year in which he was just at a .33 ppg pace.

Helenius is playing with a talented group of forwards for the 2nd rated team (to Ilves) and has helped lead them (while on loan) to 26 wins (tied for 1st) thus far. The shifty and skilled winger has always been on NHL executives' lists, however it does seem that he is now firmly in consideration for a top 10 selection in June's NHL Entry Draft.

How did Konsta Helenius do at World Juniors?

Finland did not medal in this year's World Juniors, which was considered a disappointment considering they were icing 13 NHL drafted players and potentially 3 first round draft eligibles. Note: There will be quite a few Finish players that will be drafted in the upcoming draft; potentially one by the Blackhawks (Helenius, Hemming, Pulkkinen, or over-agers Lassila, Mannisto).

Konsta Helenius only managed to net 2 points in the 7 games in the International competition. At times, Helenius couldn't find his rhythm getting into open ice against some of the world's same aged best defenders. In the video below there is a highlight package (recommended no volume) that focuses in on Helenius's shot from the right side:

As you can see, Konsta Helenius is almost assuredly going to be a RW at the next level due to his ability to unleash his accurate wrister while on an offensive rush. This was something that was not seen at the WJC, however it may just be a footnote at the levels beteeen Liiga and the WJ this year.

How does Helenius project as an NHL wing and would the Blackhawks draft him?

Konta Helenius has average size (though shows strength in possession of a larger forward) and looks like he should slot in as a high volume RW scorer, and Blackhawk Up for one believes that Helenius is definitly going to be looked at by the Chicago Blackhawks. Would a selection at slots 2nd-5th be too high? Perhaps, but alot of teams should start to consider him based on his experience, scoring ability, and wrist shot as a potentially elite PP1 right dot wing as soon as 3rd overall in our estimation.

This is going to be a draft that will likely be looked at as a defensive prospect heavy one, however it looks like Konsta Helenius (much like Demidov or Catton) may be one of the exceptions to draft (a forward) when selecting in the top 10 in June.

From a Blackhawks perspective, sure it'd be nice to have the option of a 6'2-6'4 two-way power forward if they draft outside the top 3 or 4... however Konsta Helenius provides alot of skill (plus strength) and skating ability that would mesh nicely in a future top 6 lineup card for head coach Luke Richardson.

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