Wrapping up a bit of internal business this afternoon, the Detroit Red Wings have inked defenseman Jared McIsaac to a one-year, two-way contract. Now that McIsaac is signed, this leaves Joe Veleno as the lone restricted free agent left in the organization. CapFriendly reports the contract will pay McIsaac $787.5K at the NHL level.
During his draft year in 2018, McIsaac was projected as a late-first-round pick, as most mock drafts had him between 25-29 at the time. McIsaac would slip out of the first round, not hearing his name called until the 36th pick the following day.
Playing for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL in his draft season, McIsaac played in 65 games, scoring nine goals and 38 assists. McIsaac would play another two seasons for the Mooseheads, as well as a brief stint with the Moncton Wildcats, before finally joining Detroit’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, for the 2021-22 season.
McIsaac has played well thus far with the Griffins, appearing in 131 games over the last two years, scoring eight goals and 38 assists. He has yet to reach the postseason with the Griffins, finishing as one of the worst teams in the league over the last couple of years.
Already at 23 years old, McIsaac does not typically feature on any lists of top prospects for the Red Wings. Already having adequate defensive depth at the NHL level, prospects Simon Edvinsson and William Wallinder have passed McIsaac on the depth chart.
Will Jared ever dare to play the “Do you know who I am” card to his own uncle? (And get an extra two for instigating). :)