Detroit Red Wings' Steve Yzerman strikes gold with a major acquisition in Nashville

While Chicago's Connor Bedard stole the headlines in 2023, Emmitt Finnie has been an underdog this entire time.

Finnie, a former 7th-round draft pick, has made a name for himself during training camp for the Red Wings. He's proven to be a fierce competitor against his opponents and gave Connor Bedard a run for his money. Finnie would be a key piece in the team's 3-2 defeat over the Blackhawks.

In the Red Wings' 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks, he netted 2 points (1-1), and has shown he's capable of handling himself on NHL ice.

He's increasingly looking like a top-six option for the Red Wings, as the spot remains vacant. It was a position thought to be held for James Van Riemsdyk, but with his absence, it is vacant and ripe for the taking.

Last season with the Kamloops Blazers, he played a total of 55 games for the WHL club and scored 84 points (37-47). He's found the transition to professional hockey easier than expected.

When he made the jump to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins in 2024-25, he played 10 games and would put up 5 points (1-4), a .50 points-per-game pace.

Not bad for being the second-best hockey league in the world.

The former 7th-rounder has won over Head Coach Todd McLellan with his effort this season, and could find himself in a starring role for the Red Wings if he continues to play with the urgency we've seen on the ice lately.

Though the only red flag we see here is that he's played a small sample size of AHL hockey, and could use more time to develop. But that could be easily remedied should the Wings choose to, by keeping him in Grand Rapids until he's ready.