Top 20 Detroit Red Wings Prospects To Watch In 2019-20
By Tyler Kotila
Jared McIsaac, Halifax Mooseheads, 62 points in 2018-19
One of the most exciting prospects that the Detroit Red Wings have drafted in recent years is Jared McIsaac. McIsaac was a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft for the Red Wings and immediately was an exciting prospect.
McIsaac is a 6-foot-1, 191-pound defenseman with plenty of upside coming directly out of the draft, and proving this last season. Providing he was able to stay in good health, McIsaac could be even higher on the top prospects list than the sixth-best one.
In the offseason, McIsaac underwent shoulder surgery and is going to have to take some time to rehab and get back into the swing of things before returning to the ice. This was a pretty big blow to the Red Wings, just looking at McIsaac’s production there was a lot of excitement from his numbers with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. With a five to six month recovery period. McIsaac will be out until November or December.
In fifty-three games in the QMJHL last year, he managed sixteen goals and forty-six assists for sixty-two total points. Compared to other QMJHL defenseman, he was second in the league in scoring and managed to score sixteen more points throughout twenty-two playoff games for the Mooseheads. At least half of this year and playoffs, McIsaac was playing with the injured shoulder that he had repaired this offseason.
From the point, McIsaac has a well-above-average shot and hockey IQ, which helps increase his offensive output. McIsaac skates well and moves the puck well, always seeming to find the open man. In terms of defense, McIsaac does an excellent job of forcing turnovers and playing a physical and aggressive game. Being a two-way defender with very strong defensive abilities, McIsaac could be dangerous in the future for the Detroit Red Wings.
Early Expectation: In the future, if McIsaac can return to the high-level he was at, could become a top-two defenseman for the Red Wings. He could very well find himself on a quick path to the Griffins after he returns to the ice this fall/winter.
McIsaac’s style of play is similar to that of Ryan McDonagh or Drew Doughty as a larger, physical defenseman who can hopefully be an offensive threat as well. McIsaac needs to put his health as the top priority in hopes to transform into a top-two defenseman for the Red Wings.