At What Point Can Filip Zadina Be Considered A Bust?

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?