Detroit Red Wings draft target: Filip Zadina
By Ash Thompson
Right winger Filip Zadina does not fill a need for the Detroit Red Wings immediately. However, if the Red Wings are going to round out their roster, they may need to give up their strength down the right side. Zadina could be what they need in the future.
The Detroit Red Wings Organization has an imbalance problem. Of the sixteen wingers listed in their hockeysfuture.com prospect pool, ten line up on the left side. Czech right winger Filip Zadina is the type of player that could help to assist with the Red Wings imbalance problem. He spent last season playing in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads. In 57 games as a North American skater, Zadina scored 44 goals and 82 points. He earned honors as a QMJHL First All-Star, and All-Rookie team. He also collected the Mike Bossy Trophy, granted to the QMJHL’s best pro prospect.
Internationally, Zadina has played for the Czech U18 and U20 teams. He was a member of the 2018 Ivan Hlinka tournament’s gold medal-winning team. He was also an All-Star performer in the 2018 World Junior Championship. Zadina’s international performances spectacular. At the Hlinka tournament, he recorded five goals and seven points in four games. At the World Junior Tournament, he scored seven goals and eight points in seven games. Zadina is a volume shooter. He shoots from all angles, goes after rebounds, works in front of the net for tip-ins.
Zadina is a very skilled forward with spectacular vision. He instinctually gets to the open areas of the ice and is always prepared to capitalize on a pass. He is no less skilled with the puck, which adheres to his stick when he wants it to. His shot release is a perfect mixture of quick and accurate. Whether a heavy wrist shot, one-timer, or backhand; the puck goes where he intends it to with great velocity.
Zadina’s commitment to the two-way game is atypical. Unlike many teenagers who put up gaudy offensive numbers, Zadina does not wait for others to do the heavy lifting in the defensive zone. He understands that the proper course of action when the other team has the puck is to get it back. It is not to wait for someone else to do so and then streak down the ice hoping for a stretch pass.
It may be a more dream than reality to put Zadina in a Red Wings jersey. He is the number three North American skating prospect in the 2018 draft class according to NHL central scouting. At 6′ and 195 lbs, He has the size to immediately make the jump to the NHL. His level of skill and his pro-ready size make it almost a guarantee that Zadina will be among the first five players to find a home in the draft.
Next: Red Wings prospect Brady Tkachuk
The Red Wings have a plethora of good right wingers at the NHL level. They have needs in other areas. The assets needed to improve the team immediately have to come from somewhere. The Wings will need to give up something in return. If they are to give up some of their valuable assets to balance the roster, they will need to restock the cupboards even at positions of current strength.