Filip Zadina is currently caught in a numbers crunch in Detroit. The Red Wings signed three forwards during the first day of the free agency period, and with rookie Jonatan Berggren ready for NHL action, Zadina doesn’t seem to have a spot in the Red Wings lineup.
Here is what I think will happen to the once promising Detroit draft pick.
Zadina was Drafted 6th Overall
In a year where Zadina was supposed to go in the top 3, for some reason, his stock dropped, and he was selected 6th Overall by Detroit in the 2018 draft. Zadina was expected to be a goal scorer at the NHL level. After scoring 44 goals in 57 games for Halifax (QMJHL) and seven goals in seven games at the WJC-20, Zadina had already proven that he could score goals against players his age. Zadina was bold enough to tell the five teams (Buffalo, Carolina, Montreal, Ottawa, Arizona) who didn’t draft him that he would have fun scoring goals against them.
In 160 games since he was drafted, Zadina has only scored 25 goals. That’s a rate of only 12-13 goals in an entire NHL season. To be fair to Zadina, his draft class has only five players who scored more goals than him. However, he has only outscored one player that was drafted ahead of him, and that’s Barrett Hayton of Arizona, who has only scored 13 goals in 94 games.
What can Detroit do with Zadina?
Currently, not many forward positions are available on the opening night roster. The Red Wings signed Andrew Copp, David Perron, and Dominik Kubalik to contracts. The emergence of Jonatan Berggren has also possibly squeezed Zadina out of a spot on the roster. Once Robby Fabbri returns from his knee surgery, likely in November, at least one other roster spot will be filled.
Detroit can sign Zadina to a bridge contract similar to what they did with Tyler Bertuzzi prior to the 2018-2019 season. Bertuzzi signed a two-year $1.4M deal before he went to arbitration before the 2020-2021 season. This would allow Zadina and the Red Wings some time to see if he will be a fit with the team for the long term. At best, Zadina will be in the bottom-six, a spot that is not ideal for a once-promising goal scorer.
The Red Wings could trade Zadina for a 1st round pick in next year’s draft. This would probably be the best option as the 2023 draft is expected to be one of the best in recent memory. Detroit could also trade Zadina and hope to get something tangible that could help the team long-term.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman is currently fielding calls for one of his extra forwards. With 13 forwards under contract and Robby Fabbri starting the year on the IR, finding a spot for Zadina is a priority. Once Zadina signs, the Red Wings will have 14 forwards, plus Fabbri. At least one forward and likely two will have to be moved before opening night.
The list of available players does not only include Filip Zadina. The list likely includes pending UFA’s next summer Tyler Bertuzzi, Oskar Sundqvist, Adam Erne, and Pius Suter. Another candidate for a trade, but highly unlikely, is another impending UFA next summer, Dylan Larkin.
One thing is sure; Steve Yzerman is not done subtracting forwards from his current roster before opening night at home against Montreal.
