Some highly drafted Finn forwards (thinking Laine, Kakko, Kotkaniemi, and Puljujarvi) have failed to live up their potential recently, is it possible any of this reflects on Helenius as a potential top 10 pick? Obviously a good player/1st round pick, but nothing explodes off the page to me either.
Rantanen would've been last full value top 10 forward pick and that was almost a decade ago. Heiskanen if you include D (but countered by Juolevi/Ristolainen)
Not saying it's fair to draw a line between players because of nationality, I just find it odd as an outsider/non-Finn, please feel free to educate me
These takes should be answered in a methodical way. Laine was always a huge talent and drafted rightfully in the second spot. His rookie season if anything was special and tells it all.
I dislike when people draw simple conclusions in their attempt to see similarities between different individuals. Unconsciously or not, that will only give you the answers you want to find. Not necessarily the correct one nor even the answers that you 'll have any use for.
Let's get it straight: Laine was very special. Could've been one of the best scorers if used in the best way. Why? No matter his weaknesses such as intensity, acceleration, engine and perhaps sometimes his effort. Not only did he possess a lethal, a completely lethal shot. He knew how and when to use it and how to find the needed space. PP-specialist or not, the absolute elite scoring level was there.
I mean both Kakko and Laine was much bigger prospects for me than say Slafkovsky and Wright. A whole other level. I mean just like Hughes and Matthews were and are something else compared to the prospects from the Slaf-draft. I mean Laine was and will always be more talented for me than Dubois. Make no mistake about it.
Also, when Finland won that gold medal in the WJC's 2016 it was clear that even if the roster was deep and good with Rantanen, Hintz and Aho capable to carry a line but it was even clearer that Laine was the ice cool scorer who could make the difference in PP and so on, Not Pulju, not Kapanen. And they were highly touted too.
It's another topic if you want to discuss mental health and what happened in his personal life and relations and how that eventually affected him and his career.
Just because you are talented, even elite, doesn't mean you will or can handle life's general downs and circumstances in a good way.
Kakko then? He was an absolute monster and a lot greater of a prospect than other high picks through the years when drafted. It's like your not taking any other factors in consideration. Even if Finnish prospects failed or not, that's the easiest and most incorrect conclusion you can draw.
He dominated the mens WC, a lot more than Slaf, and even Laine or Tolvanen and others. All of them great prospects. He played better than a lot of NHL pro's when he played in that gold winning team.
Not having the best circumstances in Rangers have been a factor, his character another etc. I can admit I don't believe Kakko and Juolevi have the most outspoken personalities. Laine on the other hand was something else. Tolvanen had some character to him as well.
But then again, send Kakko to play with a player with Ahos or Barkovs strengths and see what happens? I have a feeling Kakko could be one of the best wingers out there for these kind of centers to make them a winning line. Heck, give Lundell a winging Kakko and see what happens.
The point in writing this big mess? Everyone is different in some ways no matter the nationality. Both genes and your environment plays a part in how an individual manages himself in the end.
With that said. Helenius isn't on Laine nor Kakkos level at the same age but then again, he's a completely different player and the comparison isn't that interesting or telling. Therefor I would want to state it's a lot more interesting and relevant to compare to similar playing styles if anything.
