With the first preseason game set for this Wednesday, the Detroit Red Wings are nearing the end of training camp already. Zadina is excited to skate with Vanek and the first set of roster cuts.
The Detroit Red Wings played their annual Red and White game over the weekend. The Wings staff breaks up the roster into two teams for a competitive scrimmage.
Jeff Blashill and company try to get a good mix of veteran players and rookies on each team. Blashill skated a line that featured Andreas Athanasiou between Thomas Vanek and rookie Filip Zadina. The line has an opportunity to start the season as the Detroit Red Wings third line.
Athanasiou scored during the 3 on 3 play. That comes as no surprise with his blazing speed and all that open ice to work with. Rookie Filip Zadina also scored on a nifty tick, tack, toe play. Athanasiou dished a pass to Thomas Vanek who found Zadina. Zadina delivered as advertised, finding twine.
That line if they can stay together throughout the conclusion preseason has a lot of offensive potential. They may struggle at times in their own zone, but if Athanasiou commits to working hard down the middle, his speed can make up for a lot of the defensive flaws they might have as a group.
Dana Wakiji of DetroitRedWings.com caught up with Jeff Blashill and talked about his potential third line;
"”I thought they did a good job. I think Double-A’s had an excellent camp so far. I think he’s competed real hard every day in practice. He’s taken tons of ownership. I’ve liked him with Vanek. Vanek creates scoring chances all over the place, it’s just what he does. So when you play with him, you end up getting a lot of scoring chances. Zadina has consistently finished. I think there’s more to his game than just scoring goals but I think he’s somebody that’s been built on excellent goal-scoring and he’s done that so far."
Filip Zadina was overjoyed to have an opportunity to skate with Thomas Vanek. Vanek may just be the player Zadina can model his game after. Vanek at one time was a 40 plus goal scorer on multiple occasions. Thomas Vanek was selected 5th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2003. Vanek should be able to relate well to Filip Zadina.
Zadina was in awe of AA’s speed. After the game he mentioned just trying to keep up with Athanasiou was a chore in itself.
Zadina also had this to say about his opportunity to skate with the pair for the day;
"It was such an awesome game for me. I was a little bit nervous before the game, because I like each player. I tried my best and hopefully I did well for them. We had pretty good chances together on the ice and we score a beautiful goal. It was such a good game. I appreciate I could play with them today. It was one of the best days of my life.”"
Filip Zadina was thrilled, and it was just a training camp scrimmage. I hope Zadina stays positive and continues to work hard. If Zadina can bring the same enthusiasm to the games that count it will bode well for the Detroit Red Wings entire organization.
Per Dana Wakiji of DetroitRedWings.com; The Detroit Red Wings have made their first set of roster cuts. Some notable players the Wings have decided to send back to their major junior clubs are; Jared McIsaac, Brady Gilmour, Zach Gallant, and Alec Regula.