The Detroit Red Wings’ Opening Night roster doesn’t figure to have any mind-blowing surprises. The team looks pretty much set at this point, with a couple of roster spots still up for grabs.
One of those roster spots is perhaps the most pivotal for the club: The right-wing spot on the Red Wings’ top line.
This offseason, the Red Wings signed veteran James van Riemsdyk to shore up the team’s scoring depth. Initially, van Riemsdyk looked like a possibility for the top line. But that thought vanished when rookie Emmitt Finnie got a look with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.
Now, as the season draws closer, it looks like Finnie could be the ultimate X-factor for the Detroit Red Wings this season.
The 20-year-old seventh-round pick is poised to become an unlikely piece in the Red Wings’ puzzle. He’s shown that he can hang with Larkin and Raymond. Most importantly, he’s the worker bee that all top-six units need.
Sure, there’s always room for speed, skill, and high-end scoring touch, but the fact of the matter is that the Red Wings need a consistent presence to stabilize that top unit. The club has lacked someone who can dig pucks, hang out along the boards, and get dirty while Larkin and Raymond do their thing.
Along the way, Red Wings fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Finnie rack up some points. If everything goes according to plan, Finnie could have a tremendous rookie season. It wouldn’t be outside of the realm of possibility to see the promising prospect hit double digits in goals.
Red Wings rolling dice with rookie on top line
Certainly, having a rookie on the top line is a risk the Red Wings appear to be taking. If the Red Wings view themselves as playoff contenders, it’s a massive roll of the dice. But if Detroit feels it’s still not quite there yet, adding Finnie to the mix wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
So, which is it? Are the Red Wings contenders or not? It’s a matter of perception. Based on the prevailing wisdom, the Red Wings are not there yet. But they could be soon. That’s why having someone like Emmitt Finnie emerge seemingly out of nowhere could just be what the team needs to excel.
In the worst of cases, Finnie can become the poster child for a resurgent Red Wings team that might just surprise the NHL and get back into the playoff hunt this season.