The Detroit Red Wings are trying something new today.
During morning skate prior to tonight's game against the Calgary Flames, the Red Wings opted for a set of new line combinations. Among them comes an extremely promising second line; on the wings, David Perron and Lucas Raymond. Filling in at center, however, is a new name: rookie Emmitt Finnie.
#RedWings lines at the skate:
March 16, 2026
DeBrincat-Compher-Kane
Perron-Finnie-Raymond
JVR-Kasper-Leonard
Shine-Dries-Appleton
The 8 D were rotating, but looked like the same:
Edvinsson-Seider
Chiarot-Faulk
Johansson-JBD
Hamonic-ASP pic.twitter.com/3vCnuZ3NC8This isn't Finnie's first time playing center at the NHL level. He briefly filled in during Saturday's bout against the Dallas Stars and put up an assist in 17:05 of ice time. He's taken faceoffs periodically throughout his time in the NHL, as well. Interestingly enough, Finnie was actually drafted as a center back in 2024. He'll be filling in with the recent injuries to Detroit's center depth. Whether that audition is brief or not depends entirely on his performance over the coming weeks.
The question, however, is quite simple: can Emmitt Finnie make it as a center at the NHL level?
Red Wings stress patience with center development
The Red Wings are no strangers to wingers graduating into the center role. In fact, it's practically a rite of passage with the program. Typically, the team deploys their would-be centers on the wing to help them adjust to the speed and pace of the NHL. Once the staff believes they're ready to take on additional responsibilities, they begin deploying the forward in a sheltered role. Eventually, with enough consistency, these wingers graduate to the position of center.
Captain Dylan Larkin went through this exact process early in his career. He started off playing on Henrik Zetterberg's wing before moving into the role the following season. For the 20-year-old Finnie, this is a sign of trust from the organization. They've seen what he can do at the NHL level as a wing and want to test his mettle as a center.
Whether or not this role sticks will depend on two things: the return of key players, and Finnie's performance under brighter lights.
Emmitt Finnie: Detroit's Swiss Army knife
This season, Finnie has been the do-it-all player. He's able to fill in on the top line, slot into a checking role and handle any additional duties thrown at him. It's not every day a seventh round pick makes his way to the NHL. It's even rarer for him to thrive the way Finnie has thus far. While the rookie has had his fair share of scoring droughts, he's begun to pick up scoring again with with four points in his last seven games. Opportunity is abundant, especially with recent frustrations from long-time Red Wings.
So far, Finnie has 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 67 games as a rookie. He's played up and down the lineup, filling in wherever the team needs him, providing help on the forecheck along the way. During this stretch, the Red Wings will need all the help they can get from their depth. This is Finnie's chance to show he's more than just a gritty winger.