Jared McIsaac

July 2023 – The Detroit Red Wings decided to bring back defenseman Jared McIsaac, signing him to a one-year, two-way contract. The left handed shooting defenseman returns to the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he tallied three goals and added 19 assists in 61 games during the 2022-2023 season. The 23 year old, who was once considered one of the team’s top defensive prospects, finds himself stuck behind a deep pool of left-handed blue liners. McIsaac could warrant a roster spot in deep dynasty leagues if he could be moved to another organization. The talent — when healthy — is there, but the opportunity is not. Evan Sabourin

June 2023 – The 2018 second-round pick was once considered one of the top defensive prospects in the Red Wings organization, but injuries have hampered his development over the last five years. Now 23, McIsaac’s future with the team is a little unclear. The left handed defenseman spent the last two seasons playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins. In 2021-2022, McIsaac scored five goals and added 19 assists for 24 total points over 70 games played. He followed that up scoring three goals and adding 19 assists in 61 games during the 2022-2023 season. His skating ability is one of his strongest assets and the Griffins have trusted him in all on-ice situations. I do think his offensive potential will be limited if and when he makes the jump to the NHL. The other issue with McIsaac is where he stands on the depth chart. The Red Wings have an over abundance of left handed shooting defenseman in the system and it may take a move to another organization for McIsaac to reach his full potential. While I think he will reach the NHL, I just can’t see it happening in Detroit. He is currently a restricted free agent, but keep an eye out for a possible trade in the near future that will help increase his chances of getting a shot in the league. He is currently not worth a roster stash in deep leagues, but someone to keep an eye on if GM Steve Yzerman can move him to another team. Evan Sabourin

September 2020 – The Red Wings have loaned McIsaac to HPK in Finland’s Liiga for the 2020-2021 season. He missed much of last season recovering from shoulder surgery and will be looking to make up for time lost in his first season of professional hockey. McIsaac is a smart defender who skates well and moves the puck efficiently. He maintains good gaps when defending the rush and likes to physically separate players from the puck when given the chance. Nick Richard

May 2020 – This season, McIsaac bounced back from his shoulder surgery like nothing ever happened. After joining Moncton via trade after just three games with Halifax, he stamped his mark on the 2019-20 QMJHL season. McIsaac picked up where he left off, showcasing his abilities his own end by way of stellar gap control, a little bit of nasty and smart decisions on the puck. I project that he is going to again, be dominant in the QMJHL again next season, continuing his development nicely. Ashley Glover

June 2019 – McIsaac will require 5-6 months of recovery time after undergoing shoulder surgery. The Red Wings second-round pick from 2018 finished second in scoring among defensemen in the QMJHL this year, with 62 points in 53 games, despite playing the second half of the season with the shoulder injury. Mark Hillier

December 2018 – One of two Red Wings second round picks in 2018, McIsaac is off to a great season so far for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL putting up almost a point a game so far. He also made Team Canada this year and will help them compete for gold at the 2019 World Junior Hockey Championship in British Columbia.  Formerly the 2nd overall pick in the 2016 QMJHL draft and the defensive rookie of the year in 2016-17, McIsaac is seen mainly as a shut-down defender. However, he played on the power play and led all defensemen on the Halifax Mooseheads last year with 47 points in 65 games in just his second season in junior hockey. McIsaac is a very good skater, has a heavy shot and plays a physical and aggressive game. He’s a strong puck mover with good playmaking instincts and even better defensive abilities, making him very suited for creating turnovers and transitioning the puck to offence. McIsaac is another player that could easily have gone earlier in the draft and is a safe bet by the Wings. McIsaac projects as a potential top pairing minute munching all around NHL defender who has drawn comparisons to Drew Doughty in his style of play. Mark Hillier