Can someone please help me understand the logic behind Finnie over NDN?
They are the same age. Do people think Finnie would make a SHL team right now and would be able to match NDN's production? I am not sold on that.
I also think if NDN was playing in the WHL the last 2 seasons he would out-produce what Finnie has done.
So those of you that feel Finnie is top 10 and NDN is not top 15.... I would like to hear the argument behind that.
I am on the run today, but I had Finnie at 6 (same as at the start of the season) and Noah at 15 (same as the start of the season), mostly based on personal observation bias ad a few other tidbits.
I watched Finnie (and Danielson and others) at several midget age tourneys in Alberta when I lived out there years ago (I moved back to Nova Scotia).
I used to coach midget AA (a real long time ago), I have literally seen hundreds of kids who have the skills and heart to be NHL players (I know a few of them too) but never, ever got the size needed to be an NHL player to match their skill level.
Finnie was one of those players I had tabbed as one who had all the tools, just never excepted him to get the size needed to support his playing style. The size versus skill versus heart curve for NHL players is a real thing.
When the wings signed him and Petes2424 said he was playing at 190ish pounds at 18, I instantly understood why they did, the kids is a f_____g hockey player, and now looks like he will easily get to the size to go with the game he plays in the NHL.
I suspect Finnie will end up in a middle 6 role for most of his prime playing days, but he plays a game that suits the playoffs.
If he ends up in the 215-225 pound range, he may even get into the top 6, he may end up lower, but he has the tools needed to play in the NHL up and down the lineup, which always forms a big part of my ranking for NHL readiness and longevity. I see him as a 2026/27 on the roster player.
I have a couple of buddies (mostly ex WHL players) out west who do go to a lot of games, they keep tabs on the wings prospects for me when they come to town. (Great way to keep in touch)
Another reason I would have him higher than Noah is the wings inked him to an ELC in March 2024 (his D+1 as a 7th round pick) last year, so I suspect they have him ranked higher internally too, and I am pretty sure they scout him more than I do.
Stats are not everything, but to be fair to NDN, the only time I have seen him was the training camp clips, if he gets over here next year, we can see where he is and re-access things then, but today's snap shot is my snap shot today, we'll look at it again at the end of the season.