Emmitt Finnie’s Rise on Top Line Shifts Trade Dynamics for Red Wings and Larkin Situation

With Dylan Larkin suspended, 21-year-old Emmitt Finnie has stepped into the top-line center role for the Detroit Red Wings, delivering seven goals and 11 points in 15 games. His strong performance has validated coach Todd McLellan’s decision to return him to center after a wing stint, altering the trade calculus. While not a full replacement, Finnie’s emergence provides leverage and hope during ongoing negotiations with Larkin’s camp.

Emmitt Finnie, a 21-year-old center drafted 201st overall in 2023, has emerged as a key figure in the Detroit Red Wings’ ongoing negotiations with Dylan Larkin, following Larkin’s suspension starting October 29. Since stepping into the top-line center role, Finnie has recorded seven goals and 11 points in 15 games, including a four-game point streak and a +10 rating, while playing alongside Alex DeBrincat and Viktor Arvidsson. His return to center after a wing stint—initiated when Marco Kasper was injured and coach Todd McLellan repositioned him—was met with initial skepticism, but early success in an October 13 overtime loss to New Jersey signaled promise. This performance coincided with the Red Wings’ need for leadership and production on the first line during Larkin’s absence. The team’s record since the suspension has been mixed (2-2-1), but Finnie’s presence has prevented a collapse, offering interim GM Shawn Horcoff leverage in trade talks. Prior to this, Detroit had signaled interest in young centers, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, but now Finnie’s emergence allows them to accept broader packages—such as top wingers or defensemen—without requiring a center specifically. The financial angle is also significant: Larkin’s $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31 means internal replacement frees up space for other roster moves, increasing flexibility with teams like Minnesota and Washington. Still, Finnie is not yet proven over a full season; his current hot streak may not