DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings will make the 18th selection in Sunday's NHL entry draft, their highest pick since 1991. They'd like to use it on a decent-sized forward with skill.

Joe McDonnell, the club's director of amateur scouting, likes their chances of landing such a player in what is considered a deep draft.

“We're excited,'' McDonnell said. “The draft is strong, in the first round and into the second round. There will be guys we like even in the seventh round. But the high-end part of the draft is good. At 18, we'll get a quality player.''

This will be McDonnell's 19th draft with the Red Wings, his first sitting at the head of the table, behind the microphone, making the final decision on each selection at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. He replaces former assistant general manager Jim Nill in that capacity. Nill was hired as GM of the Dallas Stars on April 29.

The Red Wings, under Nill, shifted their drafting philosophy in recent years, targeting bigger players. McDonnell also puts a premium on size.

“It's just the way the game has evolved; it's a big man's game,'' McDonnell said. “I'm not saying there's no room for smaller guys, but if you can get a big, skilled guy, you go that route. We'll still take small guys if we have to, but we're looking to get bigger.''

The Red Wings' top picks in the past three drafts were decent-sized forwards – Martin Frk (2012), Tomas Jurco (2011) and Riley Sheahan (2010). They have used their first selection on a forward four years in a row, and McDonnell hopes to make it five.

That's because their system is stocked with promising defensemen, led by Ryan Sproul, the CHL defenseman of the year from Sault Ste. Marie, and Xavier Ouellet, a first-team All-Star in the Quebec League with Blainville-Boisbriand. They also have highly regarded Swede Mattias Backman, Russian Alexei Marchenko and American Nick Jensen.

“We'd really like to get a forward, unless there's a defenseman that's too good to pass up,'' he said. “If we feel there's two players (at different positions) that are even we'll lean toward the forward. … If we can add a little size up front, it would be beneficial.''

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland (left) and director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell (right) welcome top pick Riley Sheahan in 2010.

Some decent-sized forwards who might be available when the Red Wings pick include Bo Horvat of London (6-0, 206), Adam Erne of Quebec (6-0, 210) and Anthony Mantha of Val-d'Or (6-4, 190).

Horvat is a good skater who competes and goes to the hard areas of the ice. Erne also skates well, has skills and can play a physical game. Mantha is a pure sniper who led the Quebec League with 50 goals.

Others forwards who might be available at No. 18 include Curtis Lazar of Edmonton (WHL), Andre Burakowsky of Malmo (Sweden), Alexander Wennberg of Djurgardens (Sweden), Kerby Rychel of Windsor (OHL), Frederik Gauthier of Rimouski (QMJHL), and Valentin Zykov of Baie Comeau (QMJHL).

If the Red Wings take a defenseman with their first pick, various mock drafts have them selecting Mirco Mueller of Everett (WHL), Josh Morrissey of Prince Albert (WHL) or Nikita Zadorov of London.

McDonnell said selecting a goaltender is not a high priority this year and they will not take one in the first three rounds, at least. They're well-stocked at the position with Petr Mrazek, who led the Grand Rapids Griffins to the Calder Cup championship as a rookie, 6-foot-5 free agent Jared Coreau of Northern Michigan, and Jake Paterson of Saginaw (OHL), their third-round pick a year ago.

The Red Wings have each of their picks in the seven rounds. The entire draft is Sunday.

Free agency opens on July 5. It's a relatively weak free-agent class because more teams are locking up their own players to long-term contracts.

It further emphasizes the need to build through the draft.

“In the salary-cap era, it's everything,'' McDonnell said. “If you don't draft well and develop your players you don't have any hope. If you're going to be a good organization you better draft.''

NHL entry draft

When: Sunday from 3-11 p.m.

Where: Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.

TV: NBC Sports Network from 3-8 p.m.; NHL Network from 8 p.m. to conclusion.

Top five picks: 1. Colorado, 2. Florida, 3. Tampa Bay, 4. Nashville, 5. Carolina.

Top prospects: Seth Jones, D, Portland; Nathan MacKinnon, C, Halifax; Jonathan Drouin, LW, Halifax; Aleksander Barkov, C, Tappara (Finland); Elias Lindholm, C, Brynas (Sweden).

Red Wings selections: 18th, 48th, 79th, 109th, 139th, 169th, 199th.