"He's Alert And Sharp": Emmitt Finnie Impressing In Sophomore Season For Red Wings

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Detroit Red Wings forward Emmitt Finnie has taken a considerable step forward in 2026-27, seemingly avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump that teammate Marco Kasper experienced last year. 

Through his first 17 games this season, he's scored seven goals while adding four assists, and is on pace to obliterate his mark of 13 goals in 82 games in 2025-26. 

However, Finnie could easily have at least three to four more goals this season thanks to multiple golden scoring chances that unfortunately went for naught. His most recent missed opportunity came in Thursday evening's setback against the Vegas Golden Knights, missing the net on a partial breakaway in the second period. 

Late last month, Finnie nearly found himself on highlight reels everywhere when he cut down the wing and deked past former teammate Patrick Kane before sending a shot wide on goaltender Spencer Knight. 

Head coach Todd McLellan noted that at the speed that plays develop, Edmonton Oilers star captain Connor McDavid is seemingly the only player who can finish them on a consistent basis.

"It is sometimes hard for a player that is that fast and closing in on a goaltender, it happens so fast. There's one guy in the world, I think, that can do it at that speed consistently, and he plays in Edmonton," said McLellan, who coached McDavid earlier in his career. 

McLellan then noted that Finnie reviews his chances with assistant coach Alex Tanguay, and that he showed particular awareness against Vegas by immediately retrieving the puck after his missed scoring opportunity. 

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"Emmitt is getting good experience; we'll work on those things with him. He looks at all his touches with Tangs, and he'll get a little advice," McLellan said.

He missed the net there, but he was smart enough to grab the rebound off the end wall, and the goaltender had to make a hell of a save. It tells me he's alert and sharp and trying to do the right things.

It'll come." 

Finnie, who appeared in all 82 games last season despite being a seventh-round draft selection, is proving to be one of the more savvy selections by former GM Steve Yzerman. 

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