Scouts on Zadina’s Game, Upside: ‘Change will be good for him’

Why might signing Filip Zadina pay off for the San Jose Sharks?

I spoke with three NHL scouts, an executive, and a coach who shared their thoughts about Zadina’s game and outlook.

Zadina, 23, was the Detroit Red Wings’ sixth-overall pick in the 2018 Draft. Billed as a future marquee scorer, the left-handed Czech winger stumbled with just 28 goals in 190 NHL games in his first five seasons.

After signing Zadina to a three-year, $5.475 million contract last off-season, the Red Wings waived the 23-year-old winger when they couldn’t find a trade for him this summer. Because of his contract, two years left, Zadina went unclaimed.

Zadina Had Better Offers, But Chose Sharks Because of Quinn (+)

But then, Zadina took control of his career. In a shocking twist, he renounced the rest of his contract, walking away from $4.56 million cash so he could become a UFA and choose his comeback destination.

Zadina agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million pact with the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

For the Czech winger, San Jose offers a world of opportunity – only Anthony Duclair and Alexander Barabanov are clearly ahead of Zadina at wing on the depth chart right now – and he appears to have already forged a trust with San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn.

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