Red Wings: Injuries allow opportunity for Filip Zadina to prove himself
By Bob Heyrman
On Monday, the Detroit Red Wings announced that forward Tyler Bertuzzi would miss 4-6 weeks with a hand injury suffered in Saturday night’s 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils.
The injury allows Filip Zadina an opportunity to prove himself to his new coach for the first time in a meaningful game. Despite performing well throughout training camp and Detroit’s preseason schedule, Zadina found himself alongside Pius Suter in the pressbox as a healthy scratch over the first two regular season games to begin the season. This caught many Red Wings fans, including myself, off guard.
After much speculation about his future with the organization beyond last season, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman rewarded Zadina with a three-year contract extension that averages $1.825 million this summer.
The hope was that the new deal would provide a spark to the often struggling 22-year-old to begin the 2022-23 season. Unfortunately, the youngster failed to earn an opening night nod from newly appointed head coach Derek Lalonde. Lalonde mentioned that Zadina did nothing wrong and took the news of being a healthy scratch well. Zadina mentioned that he wouldn’t accept being a healthy scratch on a regular basis and would look to improve in the areas he’s been directed to improve on.
Detroit Red Wings winger Filip Zadina gets a chance to make his presence felt as a top-six forward.
When you look at all of the talented forwards Yzerman added to Detroit’s roster this offseason; it should not be surprising that Zadina began the year on the outside looking in. With the additions of Andrew Copp, David Perron, Dominik Kubalik, and the emergence of Elmer Soderblom early on, it is easy to understand why Zadina was somewhat overlooked.
Zadina isn’t the type of forward that will be effective playing on the fourth line. He’s yet to prove that he can be reliable in all three zones; he’s not an energy guy that will make his physical presence known. Zadina is someone who needs to play with skilled players to be effective, not checkers. If the 22-year-old forward isn’t playing in the top nine, he won’t be utilized.
Last season, Zadina scored ten goals and added 14 assists totaling 24 points. He also skated to a -24 rating and a Corsi For Percentage of 48.1% while averaging 14:11 of ice time per game.
Detroit’s fourth line Monday night will consist of Joe Veleno, Adam Erne, and Pius Suter. While this unit won’t inflict much physical punishment, all three forwards are reliable in all three zones. Suter, Erne, and Veleno can be utilized on the penalty kill, plus the trio will hold up defensively against any of Los Angeles’ top lines if called upon.
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The Detroit Red Wings will also be without Jakub Vrana Monday due to a personal matter opening the door for Suter to make his season debut. Robby Fabbri also remains sidelined with a knee injury.