The Detroit Red Wings have reached an agreement on the terms of an entry-level contract with forward Emmitt Finnie, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Today, the Detroit Red Wings made a significant move by signing one of their picks from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft to a three-year, entry-level contract. While the player may not be among the top prospects from the draft class, the signing came as a surprise nonetheless. It’s unusual for a player drafted just last summer to secure an entry-level deal so soon, highlighting the team’s confidence in his abilities.
Emmitt Finnie, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft by the Detroit Red Wings, had an impressive season in 2023-24, which undoubtedly contributed to earning this contract. It’s uncommon for late-round picks to sign entry-level contracts this quickly, but Finnie’s performance has evidently impressed the Red Wings’ management.
At just 18 years old, Finnie is a forward progressing through the minor leagues with aspirations of becoming an impactful player in the future. While it’s premature to label seventh-round picks as future stars, the swift contract signing suggests a cautious optimism surrounding Finnie’s potential. As a left-handed forward capable of playing on the wing or in the center, Finnie showcased his skills with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL during the 2023-24 season, garnering attention with his impressive statistics.
Despite his notable performance, Finnie’s minus-25 rating during his time with Kamloops raises some concerns, indicating areas for improvement as he continues his journey towards the NHL. Nonetheless, the Red Wings have expressed their faith in Finnie’s development by signing him to an entry-level contract and assigning him to the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL on an amateur tryout basis for the remainder of the current season. This contract signifies the team’s commitment to integrating Finnie into their system and assessing his potential at the professional level. If he can demonstrate success with the Griffins, it could prove to be a valuable discovery for the Red Wings and General Manager Steve Yzerman.
