Detroit Red Wings: Filip Zadina lands in a new home out west

The Detroit Red Wings had an ongoing saga with Filip Zadina over the last few years that really started to take a turn as of late. The Red Wings continued to give Zadina chances after selecting him with the sixth overall draft pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

The issue is that the Detroit Red Wings were never really able to see Zadina get things going. He was streaky at times, but the results were not as pretty as many hoped. Zadina continued trying to find his way in Detroit, but it failed to work out.

Zadina signed a three-year, $5.325 million extension with the Red Wings but is not around to see the other end of the deal. The Red Wings former first-rounder requested a trade from General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman.

The issue came when no other teams were interested in Zadina. At least not with his contract, or they were not willing to part with assets to work out a trade. There was some thought that the Red Wings would move him ahead, or during the draft or even as part of the Alex DeBrincat trade. But nothing ever came of it.

The Detroit Red Wings saga with Filip Zadina ends.

After no suitable trade partner was found, the Red Wings opted to move another step down the road. The Red Wings placed Filip Zadina on waivers. While it may have been a smokescreen, Yzerman said that he had felt that the plan was to send him through waivers, and if he cleared, the Red Wings would hope to see him continue his career in Grand Rapids for now.

However, it ended up being a pass through waivers for the purpose of mutually terminating the contract and making Zadina a free agent. Zadina ultimately passed through waivers and was entered into the free-agent pool.

Zadina ended up finding himself a new home. He joined the San Jose Sharks on a one-year, $1.1 million contract. He has found himself a fresh start, and his time in Detroit is officially over, and the book is closed.

He spent the last five seasons trying to get something to click in Detroit but was unable to do so. Zadina accumulated 190 NHL games during his time in Hockeytown, where he scored just 28 goals and added 40 assists for just 68 total points.

It was certainly not the performance the Red Wings were hoping for. But at this point, the Red Wings faithful have plenty of other things to be excited about. Hopefully, Zadina can find his way out west with the Sharks.