Detroit Red Wings draft selection: Jared McIsaac

The Detroit Red Wings were in desperate need for some defensive depth in their prospect pool. In round two they added some with Jared McIsaac.

After they spent their first three picks on forwards, Detroit Red Wings fans could be forgiven for asking when the team was going to address the defensive aspect of the game. The team answered that question with pick 36. They must have seen something they liked about the way McIsaac played with their first pick of the draft. Both Filip Zadina and McIsaac played with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL last season.

McIsaac has respectable but not great size at 6’1″ and 195 lbs. The theme of the early Red Wings draft though carries on with McIsaac. He is difficult to beat one on one because of his quick feet. His decent size also keeps him competitive in the corners physically. His stick work, relative to passing lanes in his own end, creates turnovers that he can transition into offense in the blink of an eye.

The most striking trait about this defenseman is his speed with the puck un his stick. He is capable of breathtaking end to end rushes at the junior level. He also sees the ice well and is capable of making a strong pass to get the puck out of the defensive zone when his path is cut off.

On the offensive side of the rink, he shifts laterally well to create both passing and shooting lanes. He does so both for himself and others. He gets his shot through traffic as well, an underrated trait. When he can’t find a passing lane as the power play quarterback he can create rebounds for his teammates.

Next: Red Wings draft pick: Jonatan Berggren

McIsaac has all of the traits that you look for in a top-four defenseman but he is not going to immediately transition to the pro game. He is a two-way defenseman that does not shirk his defensive responsibility in order to create offense. The Red Wings appear to have picked themselves a good foundation piece in Jared McIssac.