Quinn Finley Prospect Writeup
- One Team at a Time
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Quinn Finley, the promising left winger drafted by the New York Islanders in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft (78th overall, third round), continues to build his case as a high-upside offensive prospect in college hockey. Born on August 8, 2004, in Valparaiso, Indiana, and raised in Suamico, Wisconsin, Finley stands at 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighs around 179-192 pounds, offering a lean, agile build with potential to add more strength for the pro level. At 21 years old, he's in his junior season with the University of Wisconsin Badgers, following a strong sophomore year.
Finley's development has shown consistent progress. After solid USHL production split between the Madison Capitols and Chicago Steel, he arrived at Wisconsin ready to contribute. His sophomore season (2024-25) was a breakout, with 20 goals and 40 points in 37 games, earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. This season (2025-26), through mid-December, Finley has eight goals and 16 points in 16 games, ranking second on the team in both categories. His recent performance includes a dominant weekend sweep at Notre Dame, where he tallied three goals and five points, showcasing his lethal shot and ability to finish plays.
(Great finish on a breakaway.)
Scouting notes praise his speed, quick release, and one-timer, particularly effective on the power play or off the rush. However, his edge work limits his ability to create separation or sustained possession in tight areas, meaning he may struggle to generate offense in crowded cycle situations within the offensive zone. Finley thrives most when set up by facilitators, as he's more of a finisher than a primary creator, relying on transition opportunities, rebounds, or precise passes to capitalize with his shot.
(Finley goes coast to coast with a nice finish at the net.)
In dynasty fantasy leagues, Finley remains an appealing mid-tier stash with middle-six potential. Projected to sign and potentially debut around 2026-27 or later, a realistic rookie season might see 8-15 goals and 25-40 points if he earns middle-six minutes and some power-play exposure, assuming gradual integration rather than immediate top-nine usage. His shot volume and rush scoring should provide solid peripherals like shots on goal.
Long-term, his ceiling is a consistent 15-20 goal scorer in his prime years, particularly with power-play time and alongside strong facilitators. That higher output represents his career peak potential rather than rookie expectations, given the typical adjustment period for third-round prospects and his reliance on setup plays. In redraft formats, he's worth monitoring for a late-season call-up, but patience is key given his development path and the Islanders' coaching tendencies.
As the Islanders' roster is currently constructed, with an aging core and a relatively thin forward prospect pipeline behind him, Finley is well-positioned to earn a legitimate shot at NHL minutes in the coming years. The natural turnover from veteran players will likely create openings, giving him a realistic chance to crack the lineup.
The team has strong playmaking facilitators but lacks pure, downright snipers who can consistently finish without creating their own chances. Finley's profile, a shot-first winger who excels off the rush or on the power play, could fill that void nicely in the top-nine, providing a complementary scoring threat.
(Finley with a nice wrister off the draw. This show can translate to the NHL.)
However, head coach Patrick Roy is known for prioritizing structure and reliability, often being stingy with minutes to rookies and favoring more proven, dependable players. Unless substantial roster changes occur through trades or performance, Finley's initial path may involve AHL seasoning in Bridgeport to prove his readiness. That said, with his finishing ability aligning well with the team's needs, he has a promising future in the top-nine as opportunities emerge from the aging core.
(Finley gets setup in camp, and shows a nose for the dirty area)
Player Comparison:
A solid comparison for Finley is Reilly Smith, a fellow third-round pick (69th overall in 2009) standing at 6'1" and around 185 pounds, who developed into a dependable NHL winger known for his speed, quick release, strong finishing off the rush and on special teams, and reliable secondary scoring, often thriving alongside playmakers without being the primary driver of offense.
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