What even is this conversation? Despite being drafted 16 years apart, the depth of the Detroit Red Wings has mainly been comprised of the two draft classes. Nate Danielson, Emmitt Finnie, and Axel Sandin-Pellikka have been effective rookies for the Red Wings, while Kane and Van Riemsdyk have been valuable veteran presences for this Red Wings team. So let’s take a look at one of the most absurd debates of the Red Wings season: the rookies or the vets.
Stats:
2023 Draft Class:
Nate Danielson: 15gp 2g 4a 6p
Emmitt Finnie: 30gp 6g 8a 14p
Axel Sandin-Pellikka: 30gp 2g 8a 10p
2007 Draft Class:
James Van Riemsdyk: 24gp 7g 1a 8p
Patrick Kane: 21gp 5g 14a 19p
Comparison:
So, believe it or not, despite the one extra player and an extra 30 games played, the kids are only 3 points clear of the veterans. While Kane does get top power play, Finnie gets top line minutes, and Axel Sandin-Pellikka has rotated on and off of PP1.
In terms of stats, I think the Veterans get a 1-0 lead.
Role:
2023 Draft Class:
Nate Danielson: 3C, more offensively deployed, above-average competition
Emmitt Finnie: 1LW, defensively deployed, elite competition
Axel Sandin-Pellikka: 2RHD, defensively deployed, strong competition
2007 Draft Class:
James Van Riemsdyk: 4LW, defensively deployed, weak competition
Patrick Kane: 2RW, offensively deployed, below-average competition
Comparison:
The kids are playing big roles on this team. At the very least, Finnie and Danielson are playing bigger roles than the vets are, plus ASP is taking on a big load as a top-four defenceman. The veterans are playing important roles, but far less than the ones being taken on by the kids, ironically.
Young legs are carrying the kids straight into battle, and they tie it up 1-1
Control:
2023 Draft Class:
Nate Danielson: 7.2 On-Ice Expected Goal Difference
Emmitt Finnie: 7.6 On-Ice Expected Goal Difference
Axel Sandin-Pellikka 0.7 On-Ice Expected Goal Difference
2007 Draft Class:
James Van Riemsdyk: 12 On-Ice Expected Goal Difference
Patrick Kane: 9.5 On-Ice Expected Goal Difference
Comparison:
This is by far the hardest one to grade, so I decided to use the on-ice expected goal differential, which is exactly what it sounds like. On the ice, what is the difference between Detroit’s scoring and the other team’s? This one, yet again, heavily favours the veterans. Even with Finnie playing across from the team, leading Lucas Raymond, who has a 22 OIxGD, he still doesn’t get as high as the vets do, and while Danielson’s is impressive, I don’t think it would be fair to give them the edge.
The veterans just dominate the ice a little better and take a 2-1 lead.
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