Emmitt Finnie built momentum with a strong finish in the WHL and a brief but impressive stint in the AHL, where he continued to drive play and show pro-ready habits. That growth has carried into the NHL, as he has opened the season with five points in six games while skating alongside Dylan Larkin on Detroit’s top line. His pace, poise, and two-way reliability have earned the trust of the coaching staff, and his underlying metrics hint at future multi-category value. There is often a nine-game audition window before young players are sent down, but Finnie is making a strong case to stick all season. If he maintains this level of impact, his fantasy stock could surge quickly in all formats.

Despite being a long shot to have a career extending beyond juniors, Finnie exploded in his fourth WHL season as the captain of the rebuilding Kamloops Blazers. He scored 37 goals and 47 assists for 84 points, vastly outpacing the rest of his teammates, as the second-highest was 66 points. Finnie more than doubled his goal total from the previous season as he became a driver of his line, backed by a notably improved shot and a penchant to drive the net. He leveraged his success into his first professional contract and an end-of-the-year stint with the Grand Rapids Griffins as they pushed for the Calder Cup playoffs, where he produced five points in his first ten games. The road will still be long for Finnie, but due to his strong two-way play and clear skill, he could carve out a role as a middle-six forward in the NHL, and at minimum, a depth NHLer. The Red Wings covet this type of player, and 2025 will go a long way toward determining how real of a chance he has to make it.

Finnie signed a three-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2024-25 season with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Detroit Red Wings drafted Finnie in the seventh round (201st overall) in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.