Dylan Larkin may lead the Detroit Red Wings in points, but Emmitt Finnie has been the most complete player through the first nine games. The former 201 overall pick in the 2023 draft is in his age-20 season, and is doing things former seventh-round selections aren't supposed to.
The odds of players drafted in the seventh round seeing significant ice time are low enough, let alone those who are 20 years old. So, to average 16:15 of total ice time per game, that alone is impressive for Finnie.
Throw in the fact that he's tied for second on the team in points with eight and second in goals with four, and it leads you to wonder how teams passed up on him 200 times before he landed with the Wings. But it goes beyond points; Finnie's defensive play is every bit as good, if not better, than what he does while in the offensive zone.
Emmitt Finnie has been a "Swiss Army Knife" for the Detroit Red Wings
Finnie has blocked seven would-be shots on goal, landed 25 body checks, and leads the team in takeaways with eight. He's also boasting a plus-7 rating, which is second on the team and behind only Dylan Larkin.
He's also one of the team leaders in on-ice save percentage at even strength at 94.1, which is remarkable when you consider the Wings are 21st in the NHL with 29 goals allowed.
What's more striking about all of this is that Finnie's Corsi For percentage in that same situation is a meager 45.6, yet he's been more than making the most of the chances given when in the offensive zone. That number is also the lowest on the team, but his on-ice shooting percentage, also at even strength, is a sparkling 20.4 percent, behind only Lucas Raymond's 23.5 percent.
Emmitt Finnie won't be slowing down as the season reaches its next stage
After nine games, the NHL season begins to shape up, and Finnie has acknowledged he knows what he needs to bring every time he's out on the ice. He recently told Jonathan Mills of DetroitRedWings.com, "Back in Juniors, I feel that you couldn’t, not take nights off, but take teams lighter. You can’t do that here. Every team is dangerous. You have to bring your all every game, so that’s definitely been something I’ve had to adjust to.”
Finnie's right. When you get into the big league, there isn't a single bad team on the schedule. Somebody is just going to have a low points total, but if you don't take them seriously, they will sneak up on and beat you.
If Finnie keeps playing each shift as if it will make or break the Red Wings, then he will be a surefire candidate to win the Calder Trophy. And if that energy rubs off on teammates, then the Red Wings, who have allowed 15 goals in their previous three games, won't be playing so-so hockey much longer.