Prior to the 2018 NHL draft, the final Central Scouting Rankings for North American skaters listed Filip Zadina 3rd, only behind Andrei Svechnikov(1) and Brady Tkachuk(2). Svechnikov went on to be drafted 2nd overall by the Carolina Hurricanes and Brady Tkachuk was picked two selections later with the 4th overall pick by the Ottawa Senators. Both players have developed into some of the best young players in the game. For Zadina, it’s been a tougher road to NHL success.
Zadina was ultimately selected 6th overall by the Detroit Red Wings. Zadina who played in the QMJHL for the Halifax Mooseheads in the season leading to his draft year, turned pro right away playing for the Red Wings AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Zadina played in 59 games for the Griffins, scoring 16 goals and 35 points. His solid production in the AHL earned him a 9 game look with the Red Wings.
Over the next 4 seasons with the Red Wings, Zadina was unable to blossom into the player the Red Wings had hoped when they drafted him 6th overall. After being sidelined for much of the 2022-2023 season with a lower-body injury limiting Zadina to just 30 games, GM of the Red Wings Steve Yzerman decided to part ways with the young forward. In July of 2023 the Red Wings waived Zadina, who ultimately cleared waivers. Just two days later the Wings this time put Zadina on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination. Zadina cleared and became a UFA for the first time in his young career.
Just a few days later, Zadina signed a 1-year $1.1M with the San Jose Sharks. Zadina would end up scoring a career high 13 goals in San Jose last season but despite the career high in goals, Sharks GM Mike Grier opted not to issue Zadina his qualifying offer making him a UFA.
Related: Knights Will Need Big Contributions From Victor Olofsson, Alexander Holtz To Replace Lost Production.
Now as we approach September, it appears as though Zadina could be close to signing with a NHL to team, as reported by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes.
Zadina, 24, will look to prove that he can still be a top-six forward capable of scoring goals at the NHL level after two failed attempts to prove he can reach his full potential.
While Weekes didn’t divulge the teams that Zadina and his agent Dan Ferris are in talks with, it could be worth a shot for the Vegas Golden Knights to take a look at bringing Zadina into the fold.
The Knights saw forwards Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, Anthony Mantha, Michael Amadio and William Carrier leave on July 1st when free agency opened. The Knights who have been known to make big splashes when it comes to big signings and trades, did not replace the holes left by Marchessault and Stephenson in particular, with what may fans would call adequate replacements. GM Kelly McCrimmon opted to bring low-risk high-reward players in Victor Olofsson and Alexander Holtz instead.
Related: Golden Knights lose 6 players to free agency; sign Zach Aston Reese, Tanner Laczynski
While signing Zadina or bringing him to camp on a PTO would be another similar acquisition to Olofsson and Holtz, at this point in the off-season the chances of bringing in a difference maker is slim. Zadina, despite his struggles, is a player that has the potential to score goals given the right opportunity and line mates. Prior to being selected in his draft year, Zadina was described as pure and talented goal scorer in his scouting report:
He has a very heavy wrist shot, with a good release. He can combine this with his skating and power game to be a real threat off of the wing. An absolute sniper, he can score with his wrist shot, snapshot, slap shot and one-timer.
Still at the age of 24, there is enough time for Zadina to still develop into a top-six player who can still score 20+ goals at the NHL level. If the Golden Knights want to add another player with upside and take a chance on Zadina, it could pay off in a big way.
