So Finnie is the real deal? We‘ll see.
Define real deal, if you are expecting a true 1C center from him, that would be a real long shot, not saying it can't happen...but I think he'll be a good player for quite a few seasons.
I think he has a real decent shot playing as a middle 6 forward in his prime years, I watched play a few times at the midget level (tournaments) when I lived out west, I am probably more bullish on him than most fans, but the kid has game.
I have seen literally hundreds of kids like him over the years that were real good hockey players, but so many of them never get the size they needed to play in the big leagues.
When I watched him, he played shoulder first hockey and showed a great off puck game and had offensive skills too, just a good player that you notice when he is on the ice for all the right reasons.
Any pick after round 3 that makes it to the NHL and plays more than 300 games in the NHL is a win.
According to Petes, when the wings signed him last spring he was playing around 190 pounds as an 18 year old, so if he tips the scales around 205/210 (maybe more) by the time he hits the age of 23/24 I think he will be a real handful.
Given the slow roasting and projected timelines SY has laid out for the Griffs graduates, he probably won't be a FT wing until 2027/28 (maybe late in the 26/27 season, but you never know), I think he'll be a pleasant late round gem.