Rookie sparks fuel Detroit’s early-season surge after 30 games
Detroit’s youth wave arrived ahead of the 2025-26 season, when the roster announcement revealed that Emmitt Finnie, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård would all be on the opening night squad to debut in the NHL. Brandsegg-Nygård was later sent to Grand Rapids to continue his development, after appearing in the first nine games and earning his first NHL point with an assist in a 7-2 loss to the New York Islanders on October 23.
Finnie and Sandin-Pellikka have stayed with the club through the first 30 games, injecting fresh energy behind a veteran core that the Red Wings have built in recent seasons.
The standout in camp has been Finnie. A 2023 seventh-round pick, expectations were low for the 20-year-old, who had only 13 pro games under his belt with Grand Rapids, where he collected five points.
Emmitt Finnie sits tied for fifth among rookies with 14 points
After an impressive preseason—finishing with four points in seven games—it was confirmed Finnie would make the team, earning a top-line role beside captain Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.
Larkin spoke highly of his rookie linemate in October, noting, “He does the little things that win hockey games. He hones in on the net, plays fearlessly, and is a standout teammate and partner.”
Finnie has looked comfortable from the start, posting six goals and eight assists in 30 games. He’s also one of only five Red Wings players with a positive plus-minus rating, standing at +3. Hailing from Lethbridge, Alberta, Finnie has become a staple on Detroit’s second power-play unit, occupying a flank position. His latest goal came on a one-timer against the Seattle Kraken, converted from that same setup.
Sandin-Pellikka has long been viewed as a cornerstone for a future top-tier defensive unit, and his current stint in Detroit aligns with those expectations after the Red Wings selected the Swedish defenseman 17th overall in the 2023 draft.
He joined North America last season to begin his pro career, skating in five games for Grand Rapids and already carrying a laundry list of accolades.
A two-time World Junior Championship top defenseman, Sandin-Pellikka received the Salming Trophy in 2023-24 as Sweden’s best defenseman in the SHL, and in 2024-25 claimed the EliteProspects award as Sweden’s top junior in the SHL, leading all juniors in goals and points. He also earned Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year honors last season.
Through 30 games this year, Sandin-Pellikka has tallied two goals and eight assists, consistently rotating among Detroit’s top power-play units and forming a solid pairing with Ben Chiarot on the second defensive pairing.
In November, Chiarot lauded his rookie partner, saying, “For a 20-year-old, the minutes he’s handling against strong competition are impressive. He moves the puck with poise, makes the right plays most of the time, and will be a durable contributor for years.”
Detroit hasn’t hesitated to deploy Sandin-Pellikka in all situations, resulting in 18:27 of ice time per night—ranking sixth among all Wings skaters and reflecting the team’s trust in his two-way game.
Drafted 184 selections apart, Finnie and Sandin-Pellikka represent a promising pair unearthed by the 2023 NHL Draft who are poised to contribute for years to come in Hockeytown.
Would you like deeper dives into how each rookie’s style fits Detroit’s system, or a quick comparison to other teams’ notable rookie debuts this season?
