Dallas finished Round 1 of the 2024 NHL Draft adding the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Finnish forward to an already formidable Finnish group

The Finnish Mafia endures.

It was never really in doubt.

The Stars selected Finnish forward Emil Hemming with the 29th overall pick on Friday, and GM Jim Nill expressed confidence that the versatile 18-year-old will contribute to the legacy of strong Finnish players in Dallas.

“We’re really keen on him,” Nill said from Sphere in Las Vegas on Friday. “We have a certain style of play, and he fits right into that. He can join our group of Finnish players here, and we’ve already got a strong contingent of those guys. It’s a great match. He’s a solid two-way player with a shoot-first mentality, and he just approaches the game the right way.”

Hemming, listed as a right-handed right wing, shares many characteristics with Stars center Roope Hintz. He possesses both size (6-1, 201) and skill, and he’s known for a strong defensive mindset that enables him to create scoring opportunities by playing solid defense. In 22 games in the Finnish Junior League two seasons ago, he tallied 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists). Last season, playing in the Finnish Elite League against seasoned professionals, he played 40 games and recorded 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists).

Scouting reports describe him as a natural scorer who enjoys shooting the puck, but both Nill and Hemming emphasized that he won’t neglect defensive responsibilities when the opposing team has possession.

“I’d say I’m a hard worker with a good shot,” Hemming remarked when asked to characterize his playing style. “I can play a two-way game, but goal-scoring is definitely one of my strengths.”

This aligns with the contributions of Finnish players for the Stars. Jere Lehtinen exemplified a similar playing style during his 875 games with the team. Given that he is now retired and overseeing Finland’s national team, Dallas has a valuable resource closely watching Hemming. Coupled with the experience of veteran Stars scout Kari Takko, the collective knowledge is convincing.

This is one of the factors behind Dallas consistently discovering talented players in Finland.

“We’re very fortunate in that regard. We have strong connections there,” Nill stated. “Jere Lehtinen has a deep affinity for the Dallas Stars, and we can always rely on him. He conducts thorough background checks for us. Our scouting team also excels in that area. Kari Takko is deeply rooted in Finland, Rickard Öquist does outstanding work, and Jiří Hrdina as well. These scouts effectively delve into these regions, and we’re pleased with everything we’ve observed.”

Hemming expressed his understanding of the Finnish legacy in Dallas and his eagerness to join the Stars. While he still has one more year left on his contract in Finland, he conveyed excitement about heading to Dallas and being part of the “Finnish Mafia.”

“Obviously, there are many Finns there, so I’m incredibly proud to be a Dallas Star,” Hemming remarked. “I believe it will be easier to settle in there.”

Hemming will have the opportunity to meet his new teammates at training camp and when the Stars participate in Finland as part of the NHL’s international series in November. In many ways, the timing of this draft pick couldn’t be better. However, Nill understands that the normal developmental process is essential for a player selected 29th overall.

“You evaluate these players based on whether they’re competing with peers their own age or against older players,” Nill explained. “He adapted very well to competing with older players, and that usually bodes well for future success.”

Aside from his development, Hemming will need to adapt from the larger rinks in Finland to the faster, more compact style of play in North America. This is simply part of the draft process. Dallas will have the fifth and seventh round picks on Saturday, so Nill and the team are currently managing numerous tasks. Dallas confirmed the buyout of defenseman Ryan Suter on Saturday. Suter’s presence would have resulted in a $3.4millionsalarycaphit,andthebuyoutwillprovideDallaswithapproximately$2.6 million in cap space this year.

This additional cap space will enable the Stars to potentially accommodate a salary increase for Thomas Harley and perhaps re-sign defenseman Chris Tanev.

“We are in a very tight position against the cap, we had overage bonuses, and we needed more flexibility,” Nill explained. “We are exploring various possibilities. We are still aiming to re-sign Chris Tanev, and we’ll have to see how that progresses. There are other avenues we are considering. We also have internal options. Due to our cap situation, we will need to integrate some young players into the team.”

Nill mentioned that the team will have to depend on the progression of young defensemen like Nils Lundkvist and Lian Bichsel. While acknowledging that the team will miss Suter’s contributions, Nill emphasized the necessity of moving forward from the 39-year-old player.

“He has been a significant part of our success, and this is just a challenging aspect of the business,” Nill reflected. “We hold Ryan in high regard; he’s a Hall of Famer, and his impact on our team has been immense.”