Emmitt Finnie’s readiness for the NHL may stem from the reality that nothing came easy for him when his journey began.

“He’s a seventh-round pick and here’s what happens,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “He’s had to work at both ends of the rink.”

In the Western Hockey League, he was on an experienced Kamloops Blazers team. He wasn’t considered a premium performer in the beginning. Finnie had to prove he deserved his ice time.

“They had a Memorial Cup type team and from I understand, he was almost the extra piece,” McLellan said. “He had to earn everything so the coach would put him in sometimes. (He wasn’t) the star first rounder that gets there just based on offense (who) doesn’t have the details others have.”

That explains why six games into his NHL career, Finnie is playing on Detroit’s top line and is one of the key players in the team’s 5-1 start. The 20-year-old winger scored his first two NHL goals and registered his second multi-point game Sunday in Detroit’s 4-2 win against the Edmonton Oilers. He’s second on the team with a plus-7 plus-minus The Red Wings have now won five in a row.

“He’s accepted that he’s had to check as much as he’s had to score,” McLellan said. “It’s a great learning tool for a lot of young superstars in junior or college (who) just think their stat sheet’s going to get them here. It doesn’t. It gets them here. But then we can’t play him. At certain moments, Emmett’s had to work both ends, and we trust him.”

Earning His Keep

That’s why when in the closing moments, when the Red Wings were battling to hold a one-goal lead, Finnie was on the ice to score the empty-net clincher.

“Lack of fear,” McLellan said. “He’s ready for the moment, he just is.”

Captain Dylan Larkin says Finnie rarely makes mistakes.

“But if something happens, you can’t get mad at him,” Larkin said. “He’s such a great guy. I really mean that. And hardworking, and I think there’s a reason why he was a captain in juniors and he does the
little things that win hockey games. ”

Larkin sees a fearlessness with all three of the rookies, and that has had an impact on him and the team.

“I look at and why can’t I be fearless too? ,” Larkin said. “They’ve brought a great motivating, brought a
great energy to our locker room.”

Finnie says all he’s trying to do every game is get open to give his captain options. What he doesn’t say is he will do whatever it takes to complete that mission.

“(Larkin) talks to me a lot,” Finnie said. “He’s given me pointers throughout the game and even in practice. He’s always helping with the little things. (Larkin’s) been great for me.”
t