Last year, the Detroit Red Wings went into the 2018 NHL Entry Draft with a strong need for a defenseman, but they ended up coming out of the first round and their first three picks all being forwards. With the sixth overall pick, the Red Wings selected forward Filip Zadina and then with the 30th overall pick they selected forward Joe Veleno.
The Red Wings then took forward Jonatan Berggren in the second round at pick number 33. Almost, immediately following Berggren’s pick the Red Wings finally took a defenseman, Jared McIsaac, at pick number 36.