The Detroit Red Wings have been pleasantly surprised by the performance of rookie forward Emmitt Finney during his debut NHL season. Selected in the seventh round (201st overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Finney netted his ninth goal during a 4-3 overtime win against the Dallas Stars at Little Caesars Arena, marking his ninth goal this December alone. Finney’s power-play goal in the third period leveled the game at 2-2, setting the stage for the Red Wings’ comeback from a 3-2 deficit, which was clinched by Dylan Larkin’s late goals in regulation and overtime.
Larkin, who has shared the top line with Finney for most of the season, praised the rookie’s significant impact and their strong chemistry. “He’s a great kid and we’ve played together for most of the year up until Christmas, so we’re great mates,” Larkin said with a smile. With the Winter Olympics approaching, Larkin, a likely candidate for Team USA, admired Finney’s playing style and expressed a desire to mirror it if he makes the Olympic roster, highlighting Finney as a “special player” and great supporting teammate.
Head coach Todd McClellan, in his first year with Detroit, admitted that Finney has surpassed the team’s preseason expectations. “We never hesitated to play him against top teams,” McClellan noted. “He’s earned his spot with both teammates and coaches.” With nine goals, Finney stands third among NHL rookies, trailing only Oliver Kapanen of the Montreal Canadiens and Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks, each with 11 goals.
Fan Take: Emmitt Finney’s breakthrough season is exciting for hockey fans as it signals the emergence of fresh talent capable of shaking up the league. His rapid rise not only boosts the Red Wings’ future prospects but also adds a compelling storyline to watch in the evolving landscape of NHL rookies.
