It feels like the Detroit Red Wings are on the cusp of something big. Whether it’s a big trade or another blowout loss remains to be seen — but it’s clear that change is in the air in Detroit. A new era is dawning. The rise of Moritz Seider as the NHL’s best defensive prospect and the outstanding development of Jonatan Berggren, Lucas Raymond, and Albert Johanssen has the Red Wings abuzz. We’re even seeing glimpses of the new era in Detroit, as well. 2018 6th-overall pick Filip Zadina is in the midst of his first full NHL season. He’s quickly become one of the most noticeable players on the ice. From key defensive plays to strong offensive efforts, a breakout appears to be imminent for the Czech forward.
Filip Zadina’s Season So Far
In 25 games with the Red Wings, Filip Zadina has produced three goals, nine assists, and 12 points. He’s scoring at a little under half a point-per-game pace. While these numbers might not appear impressive, Zadina’s shooting percentage is at a shocking 5.9%. For the record, the average NHL shooting percentage sits around 9.11%, according to SportingCharts. A closer look at the Red Wings shooting percentage stats reveals that Zadina has the lowest shooting percentage of the entire offence.
Zadina might be one of the unluckiest players on the Red Wings roster. He’s produced dozens of scoring chances but has narrowly missed the goal or hit the post at the last second. A regression back to the mean is inevitable for Zadina. If he continues to play at the pace he has, the goals will come. Until then, it’s important for him to keep his confidence at its highest.
Realistic Expectations of Zadina
The second half of the season will be the most integral for his development. If players like Bobby Ryan and Luke Glendening are traded, opportunities for advancement will arrive. Additional minutes on the power play and penalty kill will manifest along with key chances to audition for a full-time role on the top line. Zadina has had a good first season in the NHL. Now, he’ll need to turn it into a great one. The team will need all the help they can get from Zadina moving forward. He’ll need to kick up the scoring, polish what few rough edges remain on his defensive game, and give 110% every night. He’s already shown immense growth throughout the season, but he’ll need to really pull it together to earn the trust of head coach Jeff Blashill night in and night out.
What the Future Holds for Zadina
With enough work, Zadina has the potential to become a mainstay in Detroit. This season has barely scratched the surface of what he can do. It’s highly likely that Zadina will top off around the 80-point range for his career average — nearly a point-per-game pace. Zadina is often compared to fellow countryman David Pastrnak. Realistically, something close to Pastrnak appears to be his ceiling. He’s also been compared to Filip Forsberg and Jakub Voracek. If he manages to reach a similar standing to any of those three players, Zadina will be in good hands.
With the proper linemates and enough work in his overall game, it seems that Zadina’s evolution will be more of a when than an if. Fortunately, Zadina has time to grow. A new day is rising in Detroit. Lucky for the Red Wings, Filip Zadina is on their side.
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