Riku Helenius

36-Year-Old GoalieG
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Riku Helenius in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$One-way contract terminated by the Lightning in February 2014.
GFree Agent
February 22, 2014
Helenius was placed on unconditional waivers Saturday, Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
The Bolts placed Helenius on waivers after the two sides came to a mutual agreement to terminate the goalie's contract. He'll presumably look for work overseas, but probably won't land in a high-level league after posting a horrendous 6.08 GAA over four games with ECHL Florida.
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Riku Helenius See More
2012 NHL Draft Review: First-Round Draft Review
June 24, 2012
RotoWire's Jon Litterine likes the haul brought in by the Caps in the first-round of this year's draft.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2013
2012
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2006
Helenius had a tough year in 2012-13. It was his first year back in North America and he was working to resurrect his prospect status when personal matters took him home to Finland mid-season, first in December and then in April and May. He finished with a 17-14 record, but a 2.57 GAA and a lowly .900 save percentage. And a back-up role to Cedrick Desjardins. This will be an important year for him; otherwise, he could end up as just another back-up.
Wow -- a year ago, we thought we'd seen the last of this once highly touted netminder. But a year overseas brought perspective and improved play, and he's back in the Bolts' sights. He still has competition in the system. But he's worth watching from afar, just in case.
The swirl you see is Helenius' pro career circling the bowl. The guy once tagged as the Bolts' goalie of the future has been passed by Dustin Tokarski, Cedrick Desjardins and Jaroslav Janus in the team's goaltending pipeline and was banished to Europe last season in order to get playing time. He even failed to impress over there! He has no place in even the deepest of keeper formats and will likely never see the light of an NHL arena again.
Hmmm... Helenius looked like that cursed first-round bust early last year but seemed to rediscover his game (a bit) after a return to Sweden in mid-season. His confidence took a hit and he now sits behind Dustin Tokarski, Jaroslav Janus and newcomer Cedric Desjardins on the Bolts' depth chart. This is a make or break season for the big butterfly specialist -- his entry-level deal expires after this year. He needs to explode this year in Sweden to stick. Watch from afar but certainly do not use a keeper spot on him.
Helenius' star has dimmed but he still has a chance to rekindle past glory. He's big and calm, and plays the butterfly well. He needs to play well this season in the AHL in order to stay ahead of the other prospects nipping at his heels. He remains a keeper but monitor his progress this season carefully -- this could be a make-or-break year for his keeper status.
Helenius remains the Bolts' 'tender of the future but his progress has been slow. He tanked at the 2008 world junior tourney while playing for Finland but seemed to right the ship playing for Seattle of the WHL. He is still a solid keeper but Mike Smith's presence means Riku's timeline has been extended.
Helenius is yet another product of the Finnish goaltending machine. This kid put in a commanding performance at the Under-18 world tournament and has good a shot at an NHL starter's job as any draft pick taken recently. He's along way off, though, so you'll need to consider whether he's worth a spot on your development roster just yet.
More Fantasy News
GTampa Bay Lightning  Foreign
December 31, 2013
Helenius has accepted an assignment to Florida of the ECHL after sitting out the last two weeks, reports the Syracuse Post-Standard. He is 2-3 with a 3.43 GAA and .875 save percentage with the AHL Syracuse Crunch.
ANALYSIS
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GTampa Bay Lightning  Foreign
September 23, 2013
Helenius and Cedrick Desjardins both cleared waivers and were sent to the AHL.
ANALYSIS
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GTampa Bay Lightning  Foreign
February 18, 2013
Helenius was named the AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 17. He won three games, including two by shutout, and stopped 80 of 81 shots overall.
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GTampa Bay Lightning  Foreign
December 16, 2012
Helenius has impressed the Lightning's goalie coach with his progress since the start of training camp, reports the Tampa Bay Times. "I like the improvement I've seen since the start of training camp. His battle level is really high right now," said coach Frantz Jean. "He came in tentative and trying to be a little bit too technical. Now, he's really battling out there and making saves that are unexpected."
ANALYSIS
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GTampa Bay Lightning  Foreign
June 14, 2012
Helenius has signed a two-year deal with Tampa Bay, The Tampa Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
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