William Wallinder (D) - Move
Drafted 32nd overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, William Wallinder is likely a bit more of a surprise in this spot, but it's for a good reason. While Wallinder has started to become a solid defenseman, it's hard to see him being anything more than a third pairing defenseman in the NHL, something the Red Wings have no issue with finding in free agency or even within their prospect pool.
William Wallinder 🚨 this kid has been quietly good. #LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/SMLAGvrLCw
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) May 23, 2024
That being said, he could still be incredibly useful to a team in need of some starting pieces to help kickstart a rebuild as well as a team with some pending UFAs (Unrestricted Free Agents) who may not want to lose them for nothing in free agency. Adding Wallinder to a package could be what moves the needle from a no to a yes in potential trade talks.
I would like to say that keeping Wallinder is for the best of the Red Wings organization since you can see the talent is there. Unfortunately, he's taken too long to put it all together and become a more consistent defenseman, and with the emergence of Albert Johansson and the soon arrival of ASP, Wallinder has begun to slip further down the prospect totem pole.
Emmitt Finnie (C)- Keep
Drafted 201st overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Emmitt Finnie has become one of the biggest surprises in the Red Wings' recent draft history. Most of your seventh-round picks amount to being an AHL regular at best.
Emmitt Finnie(7th round ‘23) Goal🚨in his first game back. #LGRW
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) February 27, 2025
pic.twitter.com/SZ1ngfOs93
While we've seen many drafted NHL prospects be over a point per game in the CHL, Finnie has been at a point and a half per game on a Kamloops Blazers team who are fourth from last in the WHL with 47 points. That's good enough for him to hold 15th in goals, 28th in assists, and 21st in WHL scoring overall.
Finnie impressed during the 2024-25 training camp and pre-season. If it wasn't for The NHL-CHL transfer agreement, Finnie would've likely been assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins for this season and I imagine would've preformed fairly well. I have hopes that he could become the Red Wings future fourth-line center.