DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings will open the season with three rookies on their opening night roster, signaling an infusion of youth and speed as the club looks to take the next step in its climb. Forwards Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Emmitt Finnie, along with defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka, earned spots after strong training camps and preseason performances.
Head coach and staff emphasized pace, details, and special-teams readiness throughout camp, and the rookies delivered across those benchmarks.
- Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (RW): The first-round winger brought a direct, north-south game that translated immediately. Coaches praised his forecheck pressure, board work, and ability to create second-chance offense. Expect him to see middle-six minutes with second-unit power-play looks, where his shot and net-front presence can add a different dimension.
- Emmitt Finnie (F): One of camp’s surprise standouts, Finnie forced his way into the picture with relentless puck pursuit and smart reads. He tilted zones with retrievals and poised exits, earning trust in late-game defensive situations. He projects to start on an energy line, with penalty-kill opportunities as the staff leans on his motor and responsibility.
- Axel Sandin Pellikka (RD): The dynamic right-shot defenseman impressed with poise and puck movement. His clean first passes jump-started transition, and he showed confidence walking the blue line on the power play. Detroit may manage his matchups early, pairing him with a steady veteran while giving him second-unit PP time to leverage his vision and shot.
The trio’s emergence gives Detroit lineup flexibility out of the gate — fresher special teams, more matchup options, and internal competition that can raise the floor of the bottom six and third pair. Short-term learning curves are expected, particularly on the road, but the organization believes the rookies’ habits and hockey sense will translate as minutes rise.
Detroit opens the season at Little Caesars Arena with renewed optimism and a youthful spark — a sign that the next wave is ready to contribute now while growing alongside the team’s established core.
