The Traverse City Record-Eagle’s Jake Atnip posted a profile of Filip Zadina as the Red Wings’ top prospect attempts to turn heads at the prospect tournament:
“There is a ton of buzz around him,” Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin said. “There are a lot of factors. He is the highest draft pick we have had in a long time and people who follow the draft did not expect him to be available when we were picking so that adds to the hype.
“With the rebuild, to add a player like that who will hopefully be competing for a job in Detroit over the next four weeks of camp adds to the overall excitement and buzz.”
The 18-year-old was selected sixth overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by Detroit and already has made his mark on the 20th annual NHL Prospect Tournament at Centre Ice Arena this weekend.
Zadina, a native of the Czech Republic, scored Detroit’s first goal of the Tournament Friday and knows this is his opportunity to showcase his talents if he wants to make the opening night NHL roster.
The right-winger is confident he is NHL ready and will do anything he can in camp to get on the Red Wings roster this season.
“I think I don’t have to wait for anything,” Zadina said of possibly spending time with the Grand Rapids Griffins before hitting the NHL. “I know how to play hockey and I’ll get used to the NHL intensity. Hopefully I will be ready and OK in these exhibition games so I can show people what I can do in the NHL.”
The only thing that worries me about Zadina is how well he will handle the physicality of the NHL. Many goals from highlight videos he was untouched and wide open. But with his skill and smarts I think he will be able to adjust. At least that is my hope.