News:Riku 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.
Analysis: He is clearly resurrecting his prospect status and should be back on the radar of keeper leagues.
News:Riku 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: Before a rough outing on Dec. 9, Riku Helenius was 5-1-0 in his previous six games with a 1.98 GAA and .914 save percentage. He still has a long way to go to recover his prospect status, but this is a nice beginning.
News:Riku Helenius has signed a two-year deal with Tampa Bay, The Tampa Tribune reports.
Analysis:Riku Helenius, who made his debut with the Lightning in 2008-09, has played the last three seasons in Europe. He led his Finnish team to a league championship this season.
News:Riku Helenius may be back on Tampa's radar screen after leading his team to the Finnish Elite League championship, reports the Tampa Tribune.
Analysis: Don't hold your breath -- this guy's once-glossy prospect status is long gone. But goalies do develop on a longer, slower curve than other players. And General Manager Steve Yzerman has already reached out to the goalie to see if he'll return to North America.
News: The Lightning assigned goalie Riku Helenius to Sodertalje SK of the Swedish Elite League on Sunday. Helenius had spent the season with Norfolk of the AHL.
Analysis: Helenius has played in 12 games with the Admirals this season, posting a 5-7-0 record with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage. He last played on Dec. 19 as the Norfolk coaches began to give Dustin Tokarski and Jaroslav Janus more playing time. Helenius is a former 2006 first-round pick, but he seems to be losing favor in the Tampa organization. Perhaps a stint overseas will help Helenius gain favor again, but he remains just a long-term Fantasy keeper.
News: The Lightning have sent G Riku Helenius back to the AHL.
Analysis: Helenius was up to cover for Antero Niittymaki, who missed Saturday's win over the Thrashers to be with his wife for the birth of their daughter. Helenius is a long way off from making an impact in Fantasy and remains nothing more than a long-term keeper.
News: The Lightning have recalled G Riku Helenius from the AHL.
Analysis: Helenius, a first-round pick from 2006, is only up to cover for Antero Niittymaki, who missed Saturday's win over the Thrashers to be with his wife for the birth of their daughter. Helenius is a long way off from making an impact in Fantasy and remains nothing more than a long-term keeper.
News: Lightning goalie Mike Smith made 34 saves Friday against the Flyers, but couldn't finish out the game in a 6-1 loss. Riku Helenius, who was recalled Thursday, stopped the only two shots he faced over the final 6:52 after replacing Smith, who was in a 1-all game heading into the second period. But Philadelphia scored five unanswered goals, including one on the power play and one short-handed, before Jeff Carter's 32nd goal ran Smith from the game at 13:08 of the third period.
Analysis: Helenius, who made his NHL debut Friday, was recalled from the AHL Thursday as Kari Rammo had to go down to Norfolk to serve a six-game suspension. Ramo will be back in time and Helenius, a first-round pick from 2006, will be returned to the minors. Helenius is a long way off from making an impact in Fantasy and remains nothing more than a long-term keeper.
News: The Lightning recalled G Riku Helenius from Norfolk (AHL) to replace G Karri Ramo, who was sent back to serve a six-game suspension for leaving the bench during a fight.
Analysis: Helenius is a 2006 first-round pick, but has spent some time in Double-A hockey (ECHL) this season. He will backup Mike Smith for the time being, but Helenius is a long way off from making an impact in Fantasy and remains nothing more than a long-term keeper.
News: The Lightning reassigned goalie prospect Riku Helenius from Norfolk of the AHL to Mississippi of the ECHL Thursday, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Analysis: It's very unusual to see a first-round pick from 2006 in the ECHL at this point in his career, but Helenius can get regular PT for Mississippi while Kari Ramo is manning the net for Norfolk. Helenius is a long way off from making an impact in Fantasy and remains nothing more than a long-term keeper.
