The Los Angeles Kings have added some forward depth ahead of tonight’s matchup against the St. Louis Blues. Los Angeles announced they’ve recalled Samuel Helenius from their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign.
Today’s roster move marks the fifth time Helenius has been recalled this season. Despite the frequent taxiing between Los Angeles and Ontario, Helenius has formally registered his rookie season with 27 games played at the NHL level.
He’s been an effective defensive presence over that stretch. The towering 6’6″ dual-citizen of America and Finland has averaged approximately three hits a game when he’s played for the Kings and has maintained a solid 93.8% on-ice save percentage at even strength. That’s quality physicality and defensive-mindedness from a forward averaging less than nine minutes of ice time per game.
Unfortunately, there’s little expectation that his offensive game will improve further. Helenius has scored one goal and three assists for Los Angeles and a similar two goals and four assists with AHL Ontario.
Outside his time in the Finnish Liiga, Helenius’s best offensive came last year when he scored eight goals and 11 assists in 69 games for the Reign. Still, the Kings are unlikely to balk at the physicality Helenius brings to the bottom of the lineup, making a solid bottom-six fixture for the foreseeable future.