Red Wings: Analyzing Every Defenseman in the Organization
By Chris Giles
Moritz Seider
2021 Team: Rogle (SHL)
Age: 20
Shoots: R
GP: 41
G: 7
A: 21
PTS: 28
Moritz Seider will make his NHL debut next season playing for Detroit. The 6th overall selection from 2019, Seider looks like he will become a top pair defenseman in the NHL. He won the SHL Top Defenseman award as well as the Top Defenseman at the recent World Championships playing for Germany.
Jared McIsaac
2021 Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Age: 21
Shoots: L
GP: 10
G: 0
A: 2
PTS: 2
Injuries have derailed Jared MaIsaac’s development over the last two years. Now healthy, McIsaac looks to get back on track with the hope of playing big minutes in Grand Rapids (AHL) to start next season. A former 2nd round selection from 2018, McIsaac could be in Detroit by the end of the season if he can stay healthy.
Albert Johansson
2021 Team: Farjestad (SHL)
Age: 20
Shoots: L
GP: 44
G: 8
A: 11
PTS: 19
Albert Johansson is a former 2nd round draft choice from 2019. Johansson had a very good year playing in the SHL and will continue to hone his skills playing on loan to Farjestad (SHL) again next season. Johansson will most likely debut in North America when his season in Sweden comes to an end.
Donovan Sebrango
2021 Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Age: 19
Shoots: L
GP: 31
G: 0
A: 4
PTS: 4
Donovan Sebrango played for Grand Rapids (AHL) as a 19 year old. His season playing for Kitchener (OHL) was delayed, then postponed, so he played his way into a three-year entry-level contract with Detroit. He will return to play his final year in Kitchener next season and possibly play for Canada at the World Junior tournament at Christmas.
Joe Hicketts
2021 Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Age: 25
Shoots: L
GP: 32
G: 1
A: 17
PTS: 18
Joe Hicketts is former free agent signing in 2016 from Victoria (WHL). He played the entire season in Grand Rapids (AHL). He is a UFA and may want to sign with another NHL franchise if he wants to ever have a chance of playing in the NHL again.
Dylan McIlrath
2021 Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Age: 29
Shoots: R
GP: 29
G: 2
A: 6
PTS: 8
Dylan Mcllrath is a former 1st round selection, 10th overall by the New York Rangers in 2010. Mcllrath has had a difficult time making the transition to the NHL. He has played parts of 10 seasons in the AHL and recently played the entire season with Grand Rapids (AHL). Mcllrath is a UFA, and will most likely be re-signed to a two-way contract so that he can help mentor the young prospects in Grand Rapids.
Seth Barton
2021 Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Age: 21
Shoots: R
GP: 4
G: 0
A: 1
PTS: 1
Seth Barton recently signed a two-year entry-level contract with Detroit. A former 3rd round selection from 2018, Barton recently played his third season for UMass-Lowell and played four games with Grand Rapids (AHL). He will start next year playing in the AHL and may have a chance to move up the organization quickly.
Eemil Viro
2021 Team: TPS (Liiga)
Age: 19
Shoots: L
GP: 53
G: 4
A: 10
PTS: 14
Eemil Viro recently signed a three-year entry-level contract with Detroit. Viro was drafted by Detroit in the 3rd round in 2020. He should be a mainstay on the blueline for Finland in the next World Junior Championships. He will return to TPS (Liiga) for one more year before making his North American debut the following year.
Wyatt Newpower
2021 Team: Cleveland (AHL)
Age: 23
Shoots: R
GP: 24
G: 3
A: 7
PTS: 10
Wyatt Newpower is the most recent signing of the Detroit Red Wings. He was the captain of the University of Connecticut in 2019-20, and signed a one year free agent contract with Cleveland (AHL). Detroit signed Newpower to a two-year entry level contract in May with the hope that he can develop into a NHL defenseman quickly.