When the Detroit Red Wings Emmitt Finnie selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, he only had a 6.4% chance of having an NHL career of 300 or more games. Today, he is well down the path to conquering those odds.<\/p>\n
Playing 82 games as a rookie, Finnie has already established himself as a key performer on the Red Wings. On Wednesday, the Detroit Sports Media named Finnie Red Wings Rookie of the Year for 2025-26.<\/p>\n
Finnie\u2019s 13 goals ranked sixth on the team last season and his 30 points were good enough for eighth.<\/p>\n
With Dylan Larkin looking to be traded and Patrick Kane likely leaving through free agency, one of the questions about Finnie is where will he play this season? If Detroit\u2019s roster had remained close to the same, Finnie might have been headed to a third line role, maybe playing with Carter Mazur, or Marco Kasper or Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. All four players have potential to deliver goals and 150-plus hits per season. Finnie boasted 131 hits last season.<\/p>\n
But with the uncertainty of how the top six forwards will shake out, Finnie\u2019s skating ability makes him a candidate to play in that group. He can play both wing and center, and he did spend time last season playing with Larkin and Lucas Raymond.<\/p>\n
In Case You Missed It<\/p>\n
The Red Wings are not one inch closer to resolving the Dylan Larkin <\/a>situation. <\/p>\n With Sebastian Cossa<\/a> now with Utah, the Red Wings believe they have landed on another big goalie with potential. <\/p>\n Former Detroit coach Derek Lalonde<\/a> was out of work less than 24 hours. <\/p>\n Red Wings Extra<\/p>\n The Grand Rapids Griffins\u2019 72-game 2026-27 regular schedule is out and they will open on the road against the Cleveland Monsters on Friday, Oct. 2. Their home opener will be Friday, Oct. 9 against the Manitoba Moose at Van Andel Arena. The game against the Monsters marks the earliest opener since 2017 when they opened Oct. 6.<\/p>\n Hockey Now Digest<\/p>\n Florida: George Richards breaks down what the Panthers\u2019 Opening Night lineup might look like. Florida Panthers. <\/a><\/p>\n Philadelphia: While the offer sheet to Leo Carlsson failed, Philly GM Daniel Briere\u2019s aggressiveness is appreciated by the fan base. William James weighs in with a column. Philadelphia Flyers. <\/a><\/p>\n Pittsburgh: Penguins might have a diamond in the rough in second rounder Tomas Galvis. Pittsburgh Penguins. <\/a><\/p>\n