Filip Zadina Emerging into the Player Detroit Expected

If you’re watching the Carlson Hockey Games updates involving many of the Detroit Red Wings players, there’s one player who continues to stand out: Filip Zadina.

Zadina’s game became more complete over this past season, but many Red Wings fans lamented that the pucks haven’t been finding the net as expected. Though pointed out by many that it’s a low risk system that Jeff Blashill applies to the team, it’s evident by just watching these clips that the offensive prowess is still there for Zadina.

With the World Championships just a few days away, it’s time to see if the Zadina who vowed to make those teams who passed on him pay will indeed be filling the nets after all.

Zadina Poised for a Scoring Breakout

It was evident throughout the season that Zadina was a more complete player. Though he missed a few weeks at the beginning of the season due to being in Covid Protocol, the 21-year-old didn’t miss a beat when he came back. A team lacking any sort of offensive pressure, Zadina was one of the few players successfully carrying the puck into the zone while also being responsible in his own zone.

Zadina found more success offensively when Jakub Vrana arrived from Washington via the Anthony Mantha trade. It revealed a very interesting dynamic and one that is going to be a target of Steve Yzerman’s during the next few seasons: find the right talent to surround the budding stars.

Zadina has demonstrated the ability to score goals and generate offense. Imagine the effects if he was on a team–or even a line that was consistently generating chances as well.

The Upcoming Season Should See Better Numbers

Zadina was snakebitten at times, unable to push the puck across the line or worse, clanging shots off the post or the crossbar. Those shots will go in at some point. He still registered 19 points (6-13) in 49 games, and did so without having consistent linemates or at times, players who were going to need him to generate the offensive chances.

With Yzerman poised to make more moves pushing this team further from the rebuild, Zadina stands to be one of the biggest benefactors from the Yzerplan. If the Tampa Bay Lightning are any indication of what could be, Zadina has plenty of time to hold true on his promise of filling the net.