Detroit Red Wings: Top pick Filip Zadina is figuring things out

Perhaps all Filip Zadina needed was to hear the Detroit Red Wings had intentions to bring him up for a cup of coffee in March.

Perhaps Zadina was close to hitting stride without the call-up, no matter the reason the Detroit Red Wings 2018 first round draft pick Filip Zadina is looking much better.  In fact, he’s starting to show why he was a top ten pick this past summer as he begins to thrive with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

In his last four games, Filip Zadina has six points. Overall on the season to this point Zadina has posted, 15 goals and 29 points in 43 games. This is a pretty nice turnaround after a rough start to the season. Detroit fans and I am sure fans of the Grand Rapids Griffins have taken notice. It is nice to witness this type of production in recent days.

“Before the end the season, I want Z to play some NHL games,” Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “I don’t know when, I don’t know how many. As we go into the off-season, I think it’ll be important for him to play some games in the NHL and get a feel for what the next level is all about.”

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Not all that long ago fans and media would have asked ” do you think that is a good idea?’ Or at the very least though, teams are allowed four recalls following the Feb. 25 trade deadline making March a good time to give a look at a player many think will help the Red Wings recapture glory.

One of the knocks on Filip Zadina is that he needs to add more strength. It is not like Filip is suddenly stronger. It does seem that he is using both his speed and learning how to use his body to maximize his game. Something that generally takes young players some time to learn.

His work in the corners and his puck possession have gotten significantly better since Red Wings training camp and the first half of the Grand Rapids Griffins season. That was two drawbacks that kept the prized draft pick from breaking camp with the Wings.

Zadina insists he is not putting too much pressure on himself. That very well could be true. The game has slowed down for him. Another thing that takes young players time to adjust to. So the question now becomes weather Zadina deserves a promotion?

If I had a say, I would vote yes. I say that because the Detroit Red Wings need to allow him the opportunity to see the speed of the NHL up close. That way Zadina can use it as a gauge to see where his game is and where it needs to be. He will have nine-games to showcase his potential at the NHL level.

The Wings won’t allow him to play 10 because then they are forced to protect him in the expansion draft and it would burn one year of his ELC, and what wouldn’t be wise at this time.  But I can tell you one thing; Red Wings fans will be watching with intrigue when he takes that ice in Motown for the first time.