Red Wings Captain has Rookie Role Model

USA Hockey will be naming the remaining players for its Olympic team roster next week, and Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is already outlining scenarios should he be among those selected.

“I think if I were to be able to go to the Olympics and play on that team, probably on the wing, I would probably try and play like Emmitt Finnie,” Larkin said of his rookie linemate. “Be a good supporting player and someone that digs pucks and gets them to guys and goes to the hard areas.”

It’s high praise from a veteran, a two-time NHL All-Star, to offer to a 2023 seventh-round draft pick. Finnie clearly exceeded expectations by making the team this season.

Emmitt Finnie's 4 power play goals are tied with Dalibor Dvorsky and Ben Kindel for the 2nd-most among all NHL rookies, trailing only Matthew Schaefer (5).

His 9 goals on the season are tied with Matthew Schaefer for the 3rd most among rookies. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/h6jcBaHhi1

— Logan Reever (@loganreever) December 24, 2025

That’s Finnie in a nutshell, though. For him, exceeding expectations is par for the course.

It goes beyond earning regular duty on Detroit’s top line alongside Larkin and Lucas Raymond. He’s been much more than merely a member of the supporting cast. He has nine goals and 19 points through 38 games. Finnie is on pace for 20 goals and 41 points.

“He’s such an important part of our team and an important part of our line,” Larkin said. “He has a say in things. He’s still young, but he’s important. So he’s earned the right to have a seat at the table.”

Red Wings Coach Pleasantly Surprised

Detroit coach Todd McLellan isn’t claiming to be a soothsayer. His decision to slot Finnie, 20, into the lineup where he did was hardly automatic. He’s as surprised as the rest of us to see Finnie fit like a glove as a front-line NHLer.

Emmitt Finnie – Detroit Red Wings (9)
Power Play Goal pic.twitter.com/ahbPuUwVn3

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) December 24, 2025

“I’d be flat out lying to you if I said, ‘Hey, we put his name up on the board. We popped him into the lineup right there and never thought twice about playing him against the league’s best.'” McLellan said.

“But, as Dylan said, he’s earned a seat at the table with his teammates, coaching staff, trainers, just in the way he carries himself. So he’s done a real good job.

“Where we’re at right now, he’s played a big, big role in it.”