SJHN Daily: Trotz Explains Why Saros Over Askarov, Zadina Signs in Switzerland

Former San Jose Sharks winger Filip Zadina is heading to Switzerland.

✍️ 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅!
Here we go! Willkomma bi ünsch 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏 𝐙𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐀. https://t.co/pEdItlERvH. #Davoser 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/RmfX8grNgB

— Hockey Club Davos (@HCD_offiziell) September 2, 2024

The 24-year-old goal scorer never found the scoring touch he showcased en route to the Detroit Red Wings selecting him sixth-overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. In 2022-23 with the Wings, Zadina scored only three goals and seven assists in 30 games. That offseason, he terminated his contract with Detroit, walking away from $4.56 million cash.

He then signed a one-year, $1.1 million pact with the Sharks.

That bet on himself did not pan out. While Zadina tallied a career-high 13 goals in 72 games last season, that fell short of his and San Jose’s hopes. The Sharks didn’t qualify the RFA.

There was speculation that NHL teams were interested in signing Zadina on a professional tryout this offseason, but nothing came to fruition.

Per my sources, there are as many as 3 clubs in discussions for F Zadina at this time. #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/xNWJvoMxHz

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) August 27, 2024

Guaranteed money with Davos — they signed him to a two-year contract — might be the better deal for Zadina anyway!

In his 262-game NHL career, Zadina has totaled 41 goals and 91 points. Hopefully, the Swiss National League will allow Zadina to regain his scoring abilities.

AT SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW…

What does an NHL scout think of William Eklund‘s ceiling? He also shares his thoughts on other young Sharks like Shakir Mukhamadullin and more.

Thomas Speer has high praise for Yaroslav Askarov.

Drew Remenda will be a full-time part of the Sharks’ broadcast this season.

OTHER SHARKS NEWS…

Ryan Warsofsky in the house!!

@SanJoseSharks Head Coach Fires the Siren with authority 🔥. #BayAreaUnite | #Quakes74 pic.twitter.com/mSrBqJIl46

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) September 1, 2024

Could prospect Yegor Rimashevsky have a breakout 2024-25 season? Alessandro Seren Rosso translates a Russian interview with the Sharks prospect.

Why did Nashville select Juuse Saros over Askarov for the future?

Preds GM Barry Trotz explained: “Asky is going to be an excellent goaltender because he’s got unbelievable athletic skills and he’s got a very confident personality — all that. But if you talk to elite goaltenders, they won’t talk about elite physical attributes. They’ll talk about elite mentalities and elite mindsets and elite preparation and stuff like that. And I’m not quite sure that he’s there yet.”

There’s a lot more in an excellent story by Michael Russo.

AROUND THE NHL…

Jaromir Jagr pays tribute to Johnny Gaudreau.

Simon Nemec will head to New Jersey for evaluation of his upper-body injury.

How will Alexandar Georgiev‘s contract play out?

2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament:

Group A: Canada 🇨🇦, Sweden 🇸🇪, Switzerland 🇨🇭, Italy 🇮🇹

Group B: Finland 🇫🇮, Germany 🇩🇪, Czechia 🇨🇿, Denmark 🇩🇰

Group C: Russia 🇷🇺*, United States 🇺🇸, Slovakia 🇸🇰, Latvia 🇱🇻

France 🇫🇷 will join if 🇷🇺 is banned.

— Hockey Worldwide (@H0ckeyWorldwide) September 1, 2024

Would Nick Robertson fit well with the Philadelphia Flyers?

Where will Tyler Johnson fit into the Boston Bruins‘ lineup?

Seth Jarvis re-signs with the Carolina Hurricanes. Frank Seravalli had the details of a salary deferment component in this extension, which could be a game-changer.

How will the Florida Panthers‘ forward core look next season?

Anthony Beauvillier is ready for opportunity with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

An SHL club is crowdfunding the contract of Mattias Norlinder.