The Scouting Report
Emil Hemming is a 17-year-old right wing from Vaasa, Finland who was born on June 27, 2006. He spent most of the 2023-24 season playing for the Liiga, but before he was called up he played for the TPS U20 team. He also played in the 2024 Worlds Junior Championship for Finland. He is projected to be drafted in the first round, around #27.
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Draft Projections
#27 Inside The Rink
#28 TSN/Craig Button
#30 Daily Faceoff
#40 Elite Prospects
Conrad Jack of Inside The Rink has Emil Hemming projected at 27th overall.
I’ve highlights some of Emil Hemming’s attributes; lets take a deeper dive into more attributes and areas for improvement.
Diving Deeper
Hemming is a very polarizing player when it comes to the difference in his draft projection and actual skillset. He spent most of his 2023-24 season playing in the Liiga where his production took a bit of a nosedive after being placed on the fourth-line. While with the Liiga, Hemming accrued just 11 points over 40 games with seven goals and four assists. Before being called up to the Liiga he had an impressive 18 points across 13 games, though (13 goals and 11 assists.)
Wide Variety of Shot Types
Hemming is impressive when he is being utilized well. He is capable of comfortably releasing from either leg and shooting through a triangle of defenders off the rush. Along with those two things he is well versed in scoring from a distance.
If the draft was all about raw talent then the big Finnish winger would be in serious contention to go top 10… He is creative with silky hands, and when he is “on” this combined with a natural swagger and confidence means that he will undress defensemen regularly.
Alex Appleyard, SMAHT Scouting
High-Energy Two-Way Forward
Hemming excels at playing through contact, works hard defensively and is great at lining up with teammates on breakouts. He is a quick straight-line skater and has quick edges, he was also Finland’s top player at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Hemming is a fast, high-energy two-way forward that’s used in all situations and could fill a lot of different roles. He has a strong shot, is solid on the puck, and would most likely be a strong bottom-six forward on an NHL level. To me, his best assets are his speed and skating. He has to be one of the fastest forwards in this class.
Samuel Tirpák, Future Considerations
Areas for Improvement
Hemming is not a high-end passer or manipulator, he has missed passing opportunities in favor of extended puck possession. He could improve on his consistency and his playmaking abilities, however, the foundation to work on these things is there.
Prospect Potential
Hemming was originally slated to be a top 20 pick but his lack of consistent production at a professional level during the 2023-24 season has brought him down a bit. With the right training and honing in the skills he already has he could perform better but will likely stay in a bottom-six role until then.
Final Thoughts
Hemming will be a good addition to the team that drafts him and it is likely he will be drafted on day one, however it may be a few years before he makes his NHL debut given his performance in the Liiga. He will certainly be utilized on the man-advantage due to his shooting ability and confidence moving through a defensive wall, though.
Stats via Elite Prospects
ITR 26: 2 Nations Fighting – Inside The Rink
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