Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Prospect Embracing Leadership Role
Finnie is captain of WHL Blazers
Entering his fourth season with the WHL Kamloops Blazers, Detroit Red Wings prospect Emmitt Finnie knew that leadership would be a key element of his role for the team.
When the captain’s C was fastened to his jersey, it was only serving to fortify that notion. And to perhaps again emphasize that the Red Wings may have landed themselves a real sleeper when they were choosing Finnie 201st overall in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL entry draft.
“Me being an older guy, we got younger guys who haven’t seen much in this league, so I’m just trying to help them out as much as I can,” Finnie explained to Castanet.net about how he sees his responsibility as team captain of the Blazers.
Emmitt Finnie just continues to amaze us each and every game ⭐️@BlazerHockey | @DetroitRedWings | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/vfcHoqITg4
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 24, 2024
Former NHL coach Don Hay is serving as associate coach of the Blazers. He really admires the qualities he sees in Finnie, both as a player and a person.
“He’s a real competitive young man,” Hay said. “We think that he’ll really help the younger players understand what the culture of the Kamloops Blazers is all about. He’s been here the longest, he’s watched other players lead, older players when he was younger.
“He is always gauging, taking the best of what they’ve done as far as leadership is concerned and trying to help you lead in your own way.”
Already with his name on a Red Wings contract, Finnie had a brief fling late last season with the AHL Grand Rapids Giffins, getting into three AHL games.
Two More Points For Buchelnikov
It wasn’t a great day for his team. However, it was another solid outing for Dmitri Buchelnikov (52nd overall, 2022 NHL entry draft). His club Vityaz was squandering a 4-1 lead in losing 5-4 in overtime to Spartak.
You don't see progression like this every day, Buchelnikov has been great in the KHL this season.
I don't know what his contract situation is like but if I'm Detroit, I want him here as soon as possible.#LGRW https://t.co/MEcGCDxhTh pic.twitter.com/8gp2iXFFCy
— Nick (@nickthehabsfan) November 23, 2024
However, left-winger Buchelnikov was dishing out a pair of assists. With 28 points (8-20-28), the Red Wings prospect is sitting tied for second in the KHL scoring race. He’s three points off the lead.
Milestone For Ex-Red Wings D Marchenko
Still with the KHL, Alexey Marchenko of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl was recently playing his 500th league game.
Marchenko, 32, played 110 games for the Red Wings from 2013-17. He would also suit up 104 times for the Griffins during that span.
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Hopefully, Yzerman signs him and Buchelnikov comes over sooner.
Buchelnikov sounds like he’s a really good player.
We won’t know how his game translates to the NHL.
But it’s nice hear about his high end potential.
With the way things are going with the current Red Wings, some positive news is much needed.
Exactly. I wonder how close the KHL is to the AHL? For me, I would like the guy to skip the AHL and make the jump (be able and ready… of course) to the NHL.
I’m not sure how good the KHL is?
I believe it’s a rung below the AHL but it’s still a decent league.
I just hope the kid gets a fair chance of making the Red Wings.
Both these guys will become Red Wings but will they become the generational player the Wings need to lead this growing group of impressive prospects to the cup? Maybe Buchelnykov can become that good. With Finnie its too soon to say. There really isn’t a superstar type forward in the prospect pool beyond Buchelnykov.
Worse yet, those superstars only show up once in a while and the 25 draft right now isn’t showing a consensus stand out forward. But maybe Yzerman’s scouts think differently and have a favorite in mind.
What do you do with an under-achieving Red Wings team with only 1 or two older non goalie players of value to trade for draft choices? We’ll see but I think it aint gonna be pretty around Detroit after the deadline. I expect any older player getting any interest will be moved along with one or two Griffins. Anyone needing goal-tending help will be calling too.
After that we’ll see buyouts getting the Wings ready for GRs graduates to fill those openings next season.