Detroit Red Wings: Filip Zadina clears waivers as the saga continues

The Detroit Red Wings continue to make moves this off-season. News came out that forwardFilip Zadina had requested a move out of Detroit, seeking a fresh start. While this news is not too shocking for many, the Red Wings honored it and tried to work something out.

Detroit Red Wings General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman announced that he had tried to seek out a trade, but nothing had happened. It must be tough for Zadina to hear that no one was interested in working out a deal, at least not one Yzerman felt was passable. A humbling thing for the former first-rounder, for sure.

But, the two sides were able to work it out to place him on waivers. It was announced that Zadina then cleared waivers early on the 4th. Yet, another humbling move for the winger who has never really got things going in the NHL, so a reset might do him well.

Since Zadina cleared through waivers, the Red Wings will now send him to Grand Rapids to get back into the swing of things with the AHL team. It’s an interesting situation that could lead to several different outcomes.

Detroit Red Wings forward Filip Zadina’s saga continues.

The Red Wings gave Zadina numerous chances to prove himself. While injuries did not make things easier for him, especially in 2022-23, things never panned out overall. Every time Zadina got his chances, it was a quick glimpse of what might be, but again, nothing happened.

Zadina was touted as a top-tier forward who would grow into a projectable sniper with a goal-scoring upside. It’s never been tapped. Sadly, for the Red Wings and Zadina himself, the potential of being a 30-goal scorer proved to be too good to be true.

In 2022-23, Zadina played in 30 games with three goals and four assists for seven total points, certainly a lackluster performance. Lumping it all together, over five seasons in Detroit, Zadina has amassed 190 games with 28 goals and 40 assists for 68 total points, being a minus-51.

However, the Red Wings story with Zadina is still ongoing. He will be sticking around with the organization for the time being. The Red Wings will allow him to try and find his way and get a fresh start.

After all, with a new coaching staff in Grand Rapids, the Red Wings might be able to try and reinvigorate things with the forward. In the best-case scenario, the Red Wings get some value out of Zadina if he figures things out—worst case scenario, the two sides part ways, and he is released.

UPDATE: Ellitote Friedman noted that the Red Wings may be looking to terminate his contract. This would mean Zadina was put on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract so he can find a new place to play. Certainly a shift from just passing him through waivers to keep his future with the Red Wings, as Yzerman claimed he was hoping for. Certainly an intriguing twist here.

Next chapter, the one where Zadina either pans out or just doesn’t.