The Detroit Red Wings didn’t have as big a summer as most anticipated. Despite being linked to high-profile trade bait like Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Evan Rodrigues of the Florida Panthers, they mostly kept their powder dry this offseason.
They have been pleasantly surprised by some youngsters who appear to have made the opening night roster (barring a last-minute demotion). Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Emmitt Finnie all seem to have made the team. However, Finnie is standing head and shoulders above the rest.
Todd McLellan on Emmitt Finnie
Monday, October 6, 2025, is the day NHL teams need to submit their final rosters for the opening of the 2025-26 season. According to line combinations at practice today, it’s safe to say that Finnie has made the team.
The Athletic’s Max Bultman shared the line combinations in a social media post in the morning. In the X post, he revealed that Finnie was on a line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. If that isn’t telling enough, Red Wings’ head coach Todd McLellan has spoken glowingly of the young prospect before October 6.
After their final preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, McLellan spoke to the media about all three prospects.
“I’m really happy with all three of the kids,” McLellan said on October 4. “They’ve all competed from Day One. They’ve all improved. Their confidence level has gone up. The group has been very accepting of them. They believe that the three of them can help the group.”
GettyThe Detroit Red Wings delivered some good news to a promising young player.
In the back half of September, McLellan spoke about some of his first impressions of Finnie.
“I’d heard about Emmitt and his game, but he’s really grown on me,” McLellan said of the seventh-round pick. “The pace of play, the detail that he has, the courage that he has to take pucks to the net, the tenacity that he plays with. And I don’t think Emmett’s been one that’s been riding the brake.”
“He’s been full on the gas.”
Red Wings Trio Make the Team
When the dust settled on Monday, all three rookies got the good news they were waiting for. Brandsegg-Nygard, Sandin-Pellikka, and Finnie were all named to the Red Wings’ 23-man roster for opening night.
On Sunday, October 5, Justin Holl and Erik Gustafsson were placed on waivers. Both of those players cleared on October 6th, resulting in only Holl being assigned to Grand Rapids.
Brandsegg-Nygard, 20, was the Red Wings’ 15th overall selection in the 2024 draft. The 6-foot-1, 198 lb forward recorded 11 points in 42 games in the SHL in the 2024-25 season. He recorded seven points, 13 shots, and 19 hits while averaging 13:41 in seven preseason games.
GettyAxel Sandin-Pellikka
Sandin-Pellikka, 20, was drafted 17th overall in 2023 by the Red Wings. The 5-foot-11, 176 lb right-handed defenseman recorded 29 points in 46 games in the SHL. During the preseason, he recorded four assists, 13 shots, two hits, and six blocks while averaging 20:59 of ice time in seven games.
Finnie, 20, was drafted 201st overall by the Red Wings in 2023. The 6-foot, 170 lb forward recorded 84 points in 55 games playing for the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL in 2024-25. He finished preseason with four points, 12 shots, and 18 hits, while averaging 14:28 of ice time in seven games.
Now the rubber meets the road, and it’s time for these rookies to face NHL rosters. Red Wings’ fans will see if they have what it takes to be a professional hockey player in the NHL for the 2025-26 season.
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