Red Wings: Filip Zadina Keeps Rising to the Occasion

Red Wings forward Filip Zadina buried a first period goal Tuesday evening and showcased the talent that made many label his selection by the Red Wings during the 2018 draft a steal.

Prior to being placed on Covid protol, the Red Wings were 2-2 and Zadina had been heavily active in what was a low key Detroit offense. Without him, the Red Wings slipped into a seven game losing streak. Once he returned, his impact was felt immediately.

There are just three players who can successfully carry the puck into the offensive zone right now:  Larkin, Bobby Ryan, and Zadina. (Though I’d make a claim if given the chance, Troy Stecher could as well. He’s been the unsung signing of Yzerman’s brief tenure in Detroit right now). Zadina creates chances and is growing more into a two-way player than when he first came into the league. You can see some of his offensive highlights here from the Czech league prior to the start of the NHL season:

Zadina is turning into a more complete player

Famously known as saying he was going to fill the net with pucks against the teams who passed him up in the 2018 draft, Zadina has appeared more as a playmaker than a sniping forward in his first seven games back in Detroit. He forced a turnover and then got the primary assist on Ryan’s first goal as a Red Wing:

Zadina was drafted because of the promise of his goal scoring. But maybe he’ll turn into a player that exceeds what Detroit expected. Perhaps he’ll be the well-rounded, Marian Hossa type who is not only lethal at the net, but does the little things on the ice that add up to victories later.