At What Point Can Filip Zadina Be Considered A Bust?

Filip Zadina Before the Draft

When Filip Zadina was entering the NHL entry draft in 2018, he was considered one of the top prospects in the draft. This is what one of the scouts had to say:

Filip Zadina is a dynamic offensive forward that plays a complete game. A deft and agile skater, he exhibits explosive mobility both up and down the ice. In all three zones, he proactively looks to create problems for the opposition. His awareness is indicative of his high level of hockey sense, and he knows how to make plays and scoring chances materialize. Has a goal scorer’s toolbox, complete with the individual puck skills that one comes to expect from today’s elite offensive players. The accurate release on his shot is noteworthy and is a defining aspect of his offensive capabilities. Defensively sound, he disrupts lanes and pressures the opposition to make hasty decisions; he is tenacious in pursuit of puck control and transitions up-ice naturally. All-in-all, Zadina can be categorized as both a two-way forward with a well-rounded game and a dominant offensive force. (Curtis Joe, EP 2018)

As you can figure, he was liked by a majority of the scouts. I mean, if he wasn’t liked by many scouts, he wouldn’t have gone as high as he did in the draft. Furthermore, there was a reason why he was drafted in the first-round and it’s not because he was a crappy, no good, player.

Looking back to his time before the draft, he did nothing but produce. Leading up to his first season in the QMJHL, he was playing in Czechia. In those previous seasons with HC Dynamo Pardubice, he played in 20 games. In those 20 games he had nine goals and nine assists for 18 total points. However, if you thought that was good, his numbers in the QMJHL were even better.

In his one and only season in the QMJHL he played in 57 games. In those 57 games he produced 44 goals and 38 assists for 82 total points.

Orginially, there was some concern on rather or not he could actually move over and play in the QMJHL and do well. It’s safe to say that he did.

Filip Zadina’s Career With the Red Wings

Filip Zadina has not exactly lived up to the expectations once set for him. However, who’s to blame for that performance? Well, head coach Jeff Blashill hasn’t really done right by anyone other than Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider.

Looking at some of the young guys on this roster, you think of guys like Filip Zadina, Jakub Vrana, Joe Veleno and feel like they haven’t really made their mark yet. Now, Vrana is still a very good player in this league, but it does feel like he is capable of more than what we have received from him.

Joe Veleno and Filip Zadina on the other hand have not quite done the same. Zadina, since entering the league has played in 153 games for the Red Wings. In those 153 games, he has 24 goals and 34 assists for a total of 58 points while being a -50. That’s not great. But then again, he spends most of his time on the Red Wings third-line which makes it harder on him.

When you’re looking to really make a impact in this league and for a team, you are going to need more minutes. It’s as simple as that. The more minutes you play the more chances to score and produce you are going to receive. Which leads me to: Is it Blashill’s doing that people are starting to give up on Zadina?

It’s no secret to Red Wings fans that Zadina and Vrana have amazing chemistry on the wings and when they are both on the ice at the same time, they seem to make things happen. However, that rarely happens.

So with Jeff Blashill knowing how well they play together, and how he never does, can we put the blame on Blashill? Probably. However, there is a counter-argument to that.

If Filip Zadina was playing better than he has been on the third line, Blashill would not be able to justify to himself to keep him on the third line. Zadina has to prove himself to Blashill and the organization. Additionally, if Zadina continues to only produce because he is on the ice with Vrana is shows that Zadina may not be capable to produce in this league without Vrana’s help.

If that is the case, then the question once again needs to be asked: Is Filip Zadina a bust in your opinion?