The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the best teams in the NHL through six games, sitting atop the Atlantic Division standings with a 5–1–0 record. Part of that is the team’s high-flying first line, which includes stars Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond and a surprise seventh-round rookie from the class of 2023: Emmitt Finnie.
Related: Larkin & Finnie Power Red Wings to 4-2 win over Oilers
After posting an expected goal share of 64.99% at 5-on-5 and adding four points in seven preseason games, the Red Wings decided to give the 20-year-old a shot. In the team’s last few games, Finnie has had top performances, putting together a three-point performance on October 19.
This is in stark contrast to the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite being in the midst of a rebuild, two of their young players are stuck in limbo on the fourth line and will likely be relegated without ever getting a chance to shine. The Orange and Black should instead adopt the Red Wings’ philosophy.
Flyers’ Grebenkin & Luchanko debacle
Rookie forwards Nikita Grebenkin and Jett Luchanko earned a spot on the Flyers’ roster after a strong training camp and preseason. But they are stapled to the fourth line and rotate in and out of the lineup depending on that night’s game.
Sure, Grebenkin and Luchanko haven’t been perfect this season; they made some mistakes and were punished for them. But there have also been some great moments, but no reward in sight. Cumulatively, the two average 9:40 per match. They don’t have the talent around them or the custom to really stand out.
This is very different from Finnie. Detroit has him playing next to the team’s two best forwards, and the stars are flourishing.
On the other hand, Philadelphia’s top players are struggling – Travis Konecny and Matvei Michkov have three points between them – and could use a boost. Grebenkin’s playmaking ability and size could be of great use to both players. Instead, his talent rots on the fourth line.
Luchanko is in the same boat. His attacking game requires more work than Grebenkin’s, but the 19-year-old center could be the spark that gets Konecny and/or Michkov going. That will have to remain hypothetical, however, as he is a depth plug for the fourth line and awaits an inevitable demotion to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
There’s an argument here that Finnie did more to deserve the opportunities he gets. But as mentioned, specifically Grebenkin has had those special moments. When he recorded an assist in an overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on October 11, he looked fantastic in just 8:36 of ice time. The next match he played just over 10 minutes. Not exactly a ‘reward’.
Flyers must try new things to succeed
The Flyers are 2–2–1, which is a partial miracle considering their schedule. The teams they have faced so far averaged 101.6 points last season, putting them in the top tier of play-off clubs. However, Philadelphia also wins its games in an unsustainable manner.
Goaltender Dan Vladař has saved the Flyers from certain doom. His save percentage of .934 is one of the best marks in the NHL, and certainly not sustainable—Connor Hellebuyck, 2024-25 Hart Trophy winner, was hitting .925.
Ranking 27e in goals scored per 60 minutes (and 19e in expected goals) the Orange and Black need the attack to get going. By reversing the same line combinations, that won’t happen.
If the Flyers want their rebuild to progress, giving the youngsters more ice time is a good way to go, even if it is a one-game tryout. Overall, though, the team has an obligation to try new things because the current offense isn’t working.
Will Grebenkin and Luchanko see big minutes in one NHL game this season? Or will they remain stuck on the fourth line and possibly be relegated in the near future?
Statistics courtesy of Natural statistical trick
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