Could Emmitt Finnie Be The Red Wings’ Answer For Second Line Center?

The Detroit Red Wings moved rookie Emmitt Finnie into the second-line center role as injuries to key pivots forced the club to reshape its middle of the ice. The 20-year-old stepped into the role in a critical game and assisted on a late tying goal, giving the team a crucial point in the playoff race.

Emmitt Finnie’s Audition: What Happened Against Dallas

With captain Dylan Larkin, veteran Andrew Copp, and Michael Rasmussen sidelined, head coach Todd McLellan adjusted the lineup and installed Finnie between Lucas Raymond and David Perron. Late in the third period of a tight game against the Dallas Stars, Finnie threaded a backhand pass to Raymond, who scored to tie the game 2-2 with under four minutes remaining. The sequence also involved Alex DeBrincat and ensured Detroit at least a point at a juncture when every point matters.

Stat Line, Role and Development

Finnie’s rookie season has included ups and downs, but recent results suggest growing confidence. Over his last seven games he has two goals and two assists for four points. In the outing against Dallas he logged 17: 05 of ice time and recorded an assist while also taking faceoffs periodically. The organization views him as early in his development; at six-foot-one he has the size to handle center responsibilities. Finnie was originally drafted as a center in 2024, and the club is now testing whether he can translate that projection to the NHL level.

What This Move Means For Detroit And The Immediate Test Ahead

The experiment comes with clear stakes. Detroit is chasing its first playoff berth in nearly a decade and has been forced to find replacements amid a wave of injuries. The Red Wings aim to carry momentum into Monday’s matchup with the Calgary Flames, a team described as middle of the league defensively with a 3. 09 goals-against average. If Finnie’s new line with Raymond and Perron can recreate the late-game impact they showed against Dallas, the unit could quickly become one of Detroit’s most important lines down the stretch.

McLellan’s next steps will likely hinge on consistency: if Finnie continues to perform in the sheltered second-line role and helps generate results, the coach could extend the audition longer than initially expected. For now, the move is a pragmatic response to injured depth and a test of whether a young, developing player can provide the timely contributions Detroit needs in the playoff push.