Bust is a term often loosely and prematurely thrown around. In many instances, it's used in an unfair manner, but now, six years removed from his draft year, we can confidently label Filip Zadina a bust. The Detroit Red Wings drafted Zadina with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Level Draft. I can't even be overly critical of the selection; I'll admit, I was elated at the time of the choice. Zadina had been projected to be a top-three choice in various NHL draft rankings and seemed to fit a significant need with the club as a high-ceiling scoring winger.
The Montreal Canadiens controlled the third overall pick in 2018 and selected Jesperi Kotkaniemi instead. The Kotkaniemi pick followed Rasmus Dahlin and Andrei Svechnikov. The Ottawa Senators then selected Brady Tkachuk, and the Arizona Coyotes (at the time) took Barrett Hayden. Following Detroit's pick of Zadina, the Vancouver Canucks picked Quinn Hughes.
In addition to needing a top-flight scoring option, the Red Wings desperately needed to bolster their defense core. Many expect that if Zadina didn't fall into Detroit's lap, Ken Holland and company were set to select Evan Bouchard, who landed in Edmonton as No. 10 overall. Bouchard is a right-handed defender coming off an excellent year, recording 18 goals and 82 points last season while maintaining a plus-34 rating and a marvelous Corsi For Percentage of 59.8. Bouchard continued to excel during the postseason, notching six goals and 32 points over 25 games, maintaining a postseason-best plus-14 rating.
Filip Zadina signs a two-year deal with HC Davos of the Swiss League.
Needless to say, the Red Wings' choice of Zadina set them back significantly. Following being picked No. 6, Zadina mentioned how he'd make Montreal pay by forgoing him in the draft and filling their net. The fact of the matter is that the only net that was being filled was his when he was on the ice.
Unfortunately for Zadina and the Red Wings, he failed to fill any NHL net and is off to play in the Swiss league for the foreseeable future, signing a two-year deal with HC Davos. The money was not disclosed. Between the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks, Zadina posted 41 goals and 91 points, along with a minus-95 rating in 262 games. Like any draft, you win some and you lose some; this one really hurts.