After drafting forwards with three of their first four picks, including winger Lucas Raymond fourth overall, the Red Wings spent both of their third-round picks on defensemen.
Detroit kicked off Round 3 on Wednesday by selecting Canadian Donovan Sebrango No. 63 overall, then took Finn Eemil Viro seven picks later.
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Viro is a particularly intriguing prospect. Ranked No. 16 among the draft's European skaters by NHL Central Scouting, he spent a good portion of last season playing in the top professional league in Finland.
"He can skate well, plays bigger than his size, and has proven able against men at an age when most are figuring out how to excel against juniors," according to EliteProspects.com.
TSN's Craig Button, former general manager of the Flames, had Viro ranked as the No. 32 prospect overall entering the draft. The Red Wings got him nearly 40 picks later.
In training this summer with Finland’s U-20 team, Viro stood out as one of the best players on the ice.
"He was our best defenseman,” the team's head coach told The Athletic. “He was better than the older players ... He's good defensively, he’s skillful, he’s a very good skater. He will play in the NHL someday.”
Sebrango, meanwhile, is a bigger body who's spent the past two seasons with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. He plays with a physical edge, but also has some offensive upside. He notched 30 points in 56 games last season.
The Red Wings have lots of spots up for grabs on the blueline moving forward. Sebrango and Viro join a deepening pool of prospects headlined by Moritz Seider and 2020 second-round pick William Wylander.