Detroit Red Wings: Expect Filip Zadina to enjoy a breakout season in 2021

Expect 21-year old forward Filip Zadina to finally breakout with the Detroit Red Wings this upcoming NHL season.

It seems like an eternity ago that Zadina fell into the Detroit Red Wings lap with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Level Draft.  Leading up to the draft, Zadina had been projected to be the no. 3 overall pick by the Montreal Canadiens, but the Habs went in another direction, and Zadina dropped a few spots to Detroit’s delight.

Shortly after being selected by the Red Wings, Zadina mentioned that he couldn’t wait to ‘fill Montreal’s net with goals.’  Unfortunately for the Red Wings, Zadina has yet to fill any net with goals, but that may change this upcoming season.

First off, I wasn’t a fan of the Zadina comments directed towards the Montreal organization.  I prefer to see a young player channel that emotion and strive to be great.  I’d like to see a player work their tail off and use that chip on their shoulder as continued motivation.  I’d be ok with Zadina mentioning what has motivated him to be great after establishing himself rather than putting a target on his back before even playing a game in the league.

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But I will say this, there is plenty of buzz surrounding the Houston Rockets’ rookie Jalen Green and his recent comments.  The difference being, his comments were directed not only towards the Pistons organization for not selecting him no. 1 overall, but also the city of Detroit.  Zadina did not make mention of the city of Montreal, just that he wanted to make the Montreal organization pay for passing on his services.

Expect Detroit Red Wings forward Filip Zadina to finally breakout during the 2021-22 season.

As we trek towards the start of the 2021-22 NHL season, Zadina will finally enjoy his first full season with the Detroit Red Wings as he enters his fourth year with the franchise.

Zadina split his time between Detroit and Grand Rapids during his first two years as a professional and became a regular this past COVID-19 shortened season but struggled to score.

The young Czech winger only managed six goals and 19 points during the 2020-21 season, which is alarming, but there is no need to panic yet.

Zadina will benefit from being surrounded by more talent.  At times since breaking into the league, he’d be banished to the third line playing with more checking forwards rather than playmakers.  Zadina did pop after general manager (GM) Steve Yzerman acquired fellow Czech forward Jakub Vrana in a trade that sent Anthony Mantha to Washington.

Zadina should see plenty of time in the upcoming season flanking newly signed centerman Pius Suter opposite Robby Fabbri or Jakub Vrana which will only help increase his overall production.

I expect Zadina to find his scoring groove at the professional level this season and hopefully flirt with the 20-goal plateau.  In just a touch over a full seasons’ worth of games (86) to this point in his career, Zadina has recorded 15 goals totaling 37 points.