Break glass in case of emergency: Konsta Helenius' time has come

[LGR4GM]

The Sabres need more of that dog and they need someone fast, rugged, and frankly better along the walls. The time has come with Zucker clearly injured to break glass, the emergency is here. This will burn a year of Helenius' contract, so be it. It gives you someone who can skate with McLeod/Quinn or Benson/Doan or Tage/Tuch. 

You need more out of your forwards than you are getting. 

[K-9]

His speed and tenacity would be useful for sure. And man, do we ever miss Östlund for what he could bring against a team like Montreal.

[TheAud]

36 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

The Sabres need more of that dog and they need someone fast, rugged, and frankly better along the walls. The time has come with Zucker clearly injured to break glass, the emergency is here. This will burn a year of Helenius' contract, so be it. It gives you someone who can skate with McLeod/Quinn or Benson/Doan or Tage/Tuch. 

You need more out of your forwards than you are getting. 

Down 2-1 and Zucker being effectively useless, it's time. 

Frankly if they go down 3-1 without playing Helenius tomorrow, I might not bother for game 5.  

Edited May 11 by TheAud

[pastajoe]

A 19 year old kid going into the Bell Centre is not going to be their savior. The veterans have to step up or else move some of them out offseason.

I would put Kesselring in for Stanley, and move Benson up in place of Krebs. I might also put Kozak in for Zucker whose been MIA. And I would stick with Lyons.

[Taro T]

47 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

The Sabres need more of that dog and they need someone fast, rugged, and frankly better along the walls. The time has come with Zucker clearly injured to break glass, the emergency is here. This will burn a year of Helenius' contract, so be it. It gives you someone who can skate with McLeod/Quinn or Benson/Doan or Tage/Tuch. 

You need more out of your forwards than you are getting. 

Realize you know this, but to clarify for others, playing him in 1 more game burns a year of his ELC; it does not affect when he becomes an RFA nor an UFA.

[PTS]

Burning one year of the ELC isn't a big deal. Konsta needs to come in but we can't expect him to be the savior. The best we can hope for is he provides some sort of spark, at worst, he's no different than a hurt Zucker.

[Eleven]

4 minutes ago, pastajoe said:

A 19 year old kid going into the Bell Centre is not going to be their savior. The veterans have to step up or else move some of them out offseason.

I would put Kesselring in for Stanley, and move Benson up in place of Krebs. I might also put Kozak in for Zucker whose been MIA. And I would stick with Lyons.

Not to hijack the thread, but I agree that Stanley is not needed against the Habs.  Whether I'd put in Metsa or Kesselring, not sure, but I do think Stanley should come out.  And if Zucker isn't going to play more than six and a half minutes, whether that be due to injury, strategy, or something else, yeah, let's get someone else in there for him, too.  I would prefer him playing his normal load, though; he is a leader.

[Taro T]

Just now, Eleven said:

Not to hijack the thread, but I agree that Stanley is not needed against the Habs.  Whether I'd put in Metsa or Kesselring, not sure, but I do think Stanley should come out.  And if Zucker isn't going to play more than six and a half minutes, whether that be due to injury, strategy, or something else, yeah, let's get someone else in there for him, too.  I would prefer him playing his normal load, though; he is a leader.

Almost positive Zucker is playing through an injury.  Ruff needs to step up and make the hard call to sit him for game 4.

And agree Stanley should be replaced by Metsa.

[Porous Five Hole]

Konsta is not the solve.
 

The solve is getting the regulars going again. Konsta doesn’t get this team back to their defensive structure. Konsta doesn’t keep the Sabres out of the penalty box.  
 

Yesterday was a learning experience for Buffalo. The atmosphere, pressure, and intensity was a new experience.  Bringing in a guy who will be experiencing all of that for the first time isn’t the answer.  
 

I’m not Lindy so I don’t know what sparking the group should be, but I’m confident bringing in a guy who turned 20 today ain’t it. 

[Eleven]

21 minutes ago, Porous Five Hole said:

Konsta is not the solve.
 

The solve is getting the regulars going again. Konsta doesn’t get this team back to their defensive structure. Konsta doesn’t keep the Sabres out of the penalty box.  
 

Yesterday was a learning experience for Buffalo. The atmosphere, pressure, and intensity was a new experience.  Bringing in a guy who will be experiencing all of that for the first time isn’t the answer.  
 

I’m not Lindy so I don’t know what sparking the group should be, but I’m confident bringing in a guy who turned 20 today ain’t it. 

Well, there's always Tanner Pearson...

[msw2112]

Helenius is a talented kid who will be a very good Sabre in the future, possibly as soon as next season.  That said, a 20 year old kid who has played only 8 or 9 NHL regular season games and zero playoff games is not the answer for a team in the middle of a playoff series with their backs against the wall in (arguably) the toughest away rink in the league.  It's too much to put on the kid and there's too much risk that he'll be ineffective or overwhelmed.  If the plan was to use Helenius in this series to offset the loss of Ostulnd, Game 1 would have been the time to do it, or one of the games against Boston when the team had control of the series.  Game 5, down 2-1, on the road, is not the time to experiment.

If there are enough injured forwards (Zucker?) and you have to insert a player, Helenius isn't the last choice and might be the player to use, but to expect him to be a difference maker is not realistic.  Frankly, if the decision was between Pearson and Helenius, it would be a difficult decision.  I might give the nod to Helenius in THIS SERIES just because he has the speed to keep up with Montreal, but Pearson's age and experience can't be overlooked.  If the opponent was Boston or Tampa, I'd probably go with Pearson.  Dunne and Kozak are also possibilities.  Kozak played well in the first couple of games and has speed and grit.  Helenius has a much higher ceiling than Kozak for their careers, but Kozak may be the better choice for this situation.

[Porous Five Hole]

Just now, Eleven said:

Well, there's always Tanner Pearson...

This is why I don’t think the answer is a guy in the press box. Swapping in a veteran or a rookie doesn’t get the forward group right.
 

Working around the lineup edges doesn’t fix the lineup. Getting back to your structure with your NHL lineup is the answer. Finding a higher gear for Tuch or Quinn is how we win the series. The team experienced the wildness of Montreal. Good. 
 

The secret sauce is to stay out of the box and get back to team defense.  This team deserves the grace in game four to prove they’re fine with who they are since December 8th. 

[PromoTheRobot]

46 minutes ago, PTS said:

Burning one year of the ELC isn't a big deal. Konsta needs to come in but we can't expect him to be the savior. The best we can hope for is he provides some sort of spark, at worst, he's no different than a hurt Zucker.

You have to understand what you want Helenius to do by putting him in. The Canadiens are clutching, grabbing and interfering with us away from the puck with no calls. That's what is slowing us down. What is Helenius going to do differently? He's 19 and played 9 regular season games, but you expect him to turn the Sabres around in the playoffs in Montreal? Good luck.

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

The Sabres need more of that dog and they need someone fast, rugged, and frankly better along the walls. The time has come with Zucker clearly injured to break glass, the emergency is here. This will burn a year of Helenius' contract, so be it. It gives you someone who can skate with McLeod/Quinn or Benson/Doan or Tage/Tuch. 

You need more out of your forwards than you are getting. 

100% agree.  It was a tough break losing Östlund who was the only legit top 6, or even top 9 depth, besides Helenius.  

I understand it burns a year of his ELC, but it does not impact his status as far as having to clear waivers for next year though.   He  can still start the year in Rochester if that is what camp dictates.  Correct?  

 

[Second Line Center]

1 hour ago, K-9 said:

His speed and tenacity would be useful for sure. And man, do we ever miss Östlund for what he could bring against a team like Montreal.

Everyone understand why I was so freaking dejected after he went down.  
 

I only see the big picture in moments like that.  
 

My gut is usually right.  And I said we can be fine if Norris is good. 
 

He’s been terrible.  
 

Edited May 11 by Second Line Center

[Pimlach]

59 minutes ago, pastajoe said:

A 19 year old kid going into the Bell Centre is not going to be their savior. The veterans have to step up or else move some of them out offseason.

I would put Kesselring in for Stanley, and move Benson up in place of Krebs. I might also put Kozak in for Zucker whose been MIA. And I would stick with Lyons.

55 minutes ago, PTS said:

Burning one year of the ELC isn't a big deal. Konsta needs to come in but we can't expect him to be the savior. The best we can hope for is he provides some sort of spark, at worst, he's no different than a hurt Zucker.

All rationale fans agree that he is not going be a savior but if he can just play like a top 6/9 forward it helps more than an injured Zucker or a much slower Pearson/Greenway/Kozak.  

The only real answer is that Tage, Tuch, Norris, McLeod, Quinn, and Krebs all start playing better.   None of them are doing enough.   Only Doan and Benson are consistently leaving it out there.  

[Big Guava]

1 hour ago, pastajoe said:

A 19 year old kid going into the Bell Centre is not going to be their savior. The veterans have to step up or else move some of them out offseason.

I would put Kesselring in for Stanley, and move Benson up in place of Krebs. I might also put Kozak in for Zucker whose been MIA. And I would stick with Lyons.

Kesselring definitely needs to be out there. Stanley is a liability against the Canadiens, and he doesn't bring anywhere near the physicality for someone his size you would hope for.

[Apollo]

1 hour ago, pastajoe said:

A 19 year old kid going into the Bell Centre is not going to be their savior. The veterans have to step up or else move some of them out offseason.

I would put Kesselring in for Stanley, and move Benson up in place of Krebs. I might also put Kozak in for Zucker whose been MIA. And I would stick with Lyons.

He does turn 20 today. Great birthday present for him to get called up.🤔

[SabreFinn]

I don’t see Helenius as a savior. Very few if any players as young as he is has come in in the middle of a playoff and taken that role. With that said, I still think it is time to put him in the line-up. At this point there is one game to focus on, game 4 against Habs, if he can cause some trouble, challenge with speed and fresh legs. Do it. Even if he plays like ***** the rest of the games this playoff,  it would still be the right thing to do.

[TheAud]

21 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

You have to understand what you want Helenius to do by putting him in. The Canadiens are clutching, grabbing and interfering with us away from the puck with no calls. That's what is slowing us down. What is Helenius going to do differently? He's 19 and played 9 regular season games, but you expect him to turn the Sabres around in the playoffs in Montreal? Good luck.

That's a red herring. No one is saying that. The point is Zucker is useless right now, to the extent that Lindy isn't even putting him on the ice. Someone else could contribute more. Options are Helenius, Kozak, Pearson, etc. There is an argument for trying out the highest ceiling guy in the bunch. That's all, not a 'savior' situation. Other playoff teams are playing young guys without much experience and seeing how it goes. Not saying it's ideal but desperate times call for desperate measures and all that. 

[Eleven]

29 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

The Canadiens are clutching, grabbing and interfering with us away from the puck with no calls. That's what is slowing us down.

Hard disagree here.  This isn't the Boston series.

[BullBuchanan]

I'm really excited for Helenius, but I don't think bringing him in is the difference. While we've had offensive problems, our primary issue is defense, turnovers and the power play. I don't know if he helps us in any of those spots.

You're also robbing the team of 82 games of cheap production and growth for possibly 2 games now. Even if Helenius help us win this series, will he be the difference against Carolina? Colorado? I sincerely doubt it. He's a very good young player, but he's 19 with very little NHL experience. He shouldn't be the guy that has to be guy. Keeping him an extra year on a cheap deal is the difference in being able to pair him with a top of the line forward vs a cheap vet/rookie, and that could be the difference between us being a cup contender for the next several years. If Helenius is what we all hope he'll be, it won't be long until he commands a massive salary. We need to maximize that time.

The Sabres aren't winning the cup with this team. There are too many holes.

[K-9]

Inserting Helenius into the lineup-up wouldn’t be anyone’s idea of an answer. It would simply be getting a healthier player with speed and tenacity to help match Montreal’s speed and tenacity. If Zucker is hurt as is rumored, who is preferable: Pearson, who looked as slow as Stanley at times or Helenius who better possesses the required attributes? Is Dunne a better player to plug in? If he had half of Konsta’s offensive chops and command of the game then perhaps, but he doesn’t. 

[Eleven]

2 minutes ago, K-9 said:

Inserting Helenius into the lineup-up wouldn’t be anyone’s idea of an answer. It would simply be getting a healthier player with speed and tenacity to help match Montreal’s speed and tenacity. If Zucker is hurt as is rumored, who is preferable: Pearson, who looked as slow as Stanley at times or Helenius who better possesses the required attributes? Is Dunne a better player to plug in? If he had half of Konsta’s offensive chops and command of the game then perhaps, but he doesn’t. 

So there is no answer?  I'd rather burn the ELC year than go with "no answer."

[Second Line Center]

Looking forward to Greenway on line 3 with Quinn and McCleod and Pearson on line 4.   
 

Going to go great.   
 

 

If Konsta isn’t called up and Zucker is out this is what they should do:

 

Krebs-Tage-Tuch

Benson-Norris-Doan

Malenstyn-McCleod-Quinn

Greenway-Carrick-Pearson

 

Dahlin-Samuelsson

Byram-Power

Kesselring-Metsa