SJHN Daily: Zadina on Renouncing Contract, Why It Didn’t Work in Detroit

Filip Zadina concedes that the Detroit Red Wings might have played him in the NHL before he was ready.

In a recent interview with HockeySverige.se, new San Jose Sharks forward Zadina shared with journalist Uffe Bodin that “it’s tough for a young rookie to come to a team under rebuilding like Detroit was then.”

The 2018 sixth-overall pick turned pro in 2018-19 at just 19 years old. He admits that he was happy to debut in the NHL so quickly, notching a goal and two assists in those nine games. He spent the rest of that season in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

But what could have been, maybe Zadina would have benefitted from more time dominating the QMJHL? In his Draft year, he had 44 goals and 38 assists in just 57 games for the Halifax Mooseheads.

In five years in the Red Wings organization, Zadina shuttled between Detroit and Grand Rapids, totaling just 28 goals and 40 assists in 190 NHL games. Last year, felled by injury and passed over on the depth chart, he had just three goals and four assists in 30 appearances.

Zadina doesn’t seem to blame the Detroit organization for his lack of success, but he was clearly ready for a fresh start this summer. After attempts to trade him and his three-year, $5.475 million contract failed, Zadina renounced the rest of the pact, even though it still had two years left, along with $4.56 million actual cash owed, to become an unrestricted free agent.

He signed with the San Jose Sharks for just one year and $1.1 million.

“Sometimes you have to sacrifice something to get something more out of life,” Zadina told Bodin. “I am still young and I will be able to earn the money later.”

Zadina is hoping to find his confidence and joy for the game in San Jose.

AT SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW…

Why is defense important to Mikael Granlund having a bounce back year in San Jose?

SJ Sharkie says goodbye to Erik Karlsson‘s daughter, Harlow.

OTHER SHARKS NEWS…

Looks like five Sharks games this year will be carried exclusively on ESPN+/Hulu (Nov. 9 vs. EDM, Nov. 14 vs. FLA, Dec. 19 vs. LA, Dec. 21 vs. AZ, Apr. 4 vs LA.)

For now, it doesn't appear any Sharks games will be on national television (ESPN, ABC or TNT).

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) August 30, 2023

Which Sharks skaters should you draft in fantasy hockey? Max Miller breaks it down.

Relive Joonas Donskoi’s journey from SM-Liiga playoff MVP to the Sharks to retirement.

Locked on Sharks interviews Sharks prospect Ethan Cardwell!

AROUND THE NHL…

The @WaltDisneyCo & ESPN announce the ’23-’24 NHL schedule

🏒Oct. 10 | Opening Night tripleheader (ESPN/ESPN+)
🏒Feb. 2-3 | #NHL All-Star Skills (ESPN) & All-Star Game (ABC/ESPN+)
🏒Feb. 17-18 | NHL Stadium Series (ABC/ESPN+)
🏒June 24 | Stanley Cup Final (ABC/ESPN+)… pic.twitter.com/Mtr4uz7r7W

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) August 30, 2023

Two players with ties to the Florida Panthers retire.

Brian Boucher will replace Keith Jones on TNT’s NHL broadcasts.

Sheldon Keefe signs a multi-year extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Did the Colorado Avalanche overpay Ross Colton?

Unfortunately, another injury-related retirement, as Carl Hagelin announces the end of his career: 713 games and a two-time Stanley Cup champion pic.twitter.com/gQ5w8BjzfQ

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 30, 2023

How will the Montreal Canadiens use Juraj Slafkovsky this season?

Does Jaret Anderson-Dolan need to diversify his game to become a consistent NHL’er?

The Champions Hockey League will use some creative new rules for power plays this season.

The Nashville Predators install a new ice surface at their home arena.

Connor Bedard is getting advice from Connor McDavid.