Stop me if you've heard this one before: the Detroit Red Wings draft a player in the seventh round, only for that player to force his way onto the roster and into a key role.
It happened with former captain and Conn Smythe-winner Henrik Zetterberg. It even happened with long time defenseman Jonathan Ericsson. Now, it's happening with Emmitt FInnie, the 2023 seventh round pick.
Sure, the 2024 draft brought the NHL stars like Connor Bedard of the San Jose Sharks and Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks. But getting a player like Finnie in the seventh round is the kind of bonus value that doesn't happen very often.
That's why Finnie has the potential to be the steal of the 2023 NHL Draft.
How Finnie has embraced his new role
Finnie started his rookie season in 2025-26 alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. As the season went on, he found himself playing up and down the lineup while still retaining that key ice time. This time around, Finnie is showing he's more than just a utility player. He's all but usurped the top line center role from Dylan Larkin, who appears checked out on the ice.
FInnie plays alongside Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Alex DeBrincat, a crafty line combination built to generate high scoring opportunities. Thus far, they've proven to be Detroit's most effective offensive combination.
During last night's game, Finnie's line ended with a combined four points -- with FInnie factoring into both a goal and an assist. In 90 career games, Finnie has 35 points, good for ninth in scoring leaders among 2023 draftees. He's in great company, too, with his numbers competing with Easton Cowan of the Toronto Maple Leafs (the 28th overall pick in the draft).
Not bad for a seventh rounder.
Where Finnie can go from here
Finnie has five points in eight games this season, tied for fourth among all Red Wings skaters. His line mates - Alex DeBrincat and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard - occupy the first and second place spots. Assuming they can keep up that level of production, Finnie's numbers should see a substantial uptick from his 30 point rookie season.
It go without saying that this isn't to say that Finnie will become a player on the caliber of a Connor Bedard or Leo Carlsson. Rather, it's a testament to the Red Wings' amateur scouting staff that they were able to find a player like Finnie so late in the draft.
What makes Finnie such an intriguing player is his sheer utility. A savvy coach can play him anywhere in the lineup and get results. He's just as capable as a skilled guy on the bottom-six as he is a speedy driver on the top line. There's a lot to love about his play style and its infectious effect it has on his teammates.
Finnie represents the start of a genuine youth movement with the Red Wings. In the past, we've seen flashes of what happens when younger players are trusted, but this time around, it looks like the team has decided to lean into it.
Here's hoping it continues to pay off for both Finnie and the Red Wings.
Add us as a preferred source on Google