Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon spotlighted 10 NHL prospects who are playing in Europe at the present moment, and his list includes two Red Wings prospects:
Moritz Seider, D, Detroit Red Wings: Steve Yzerman’s decision to start his GM tenure in Detroit by drafting Seider sixth overall in 2019 has made more and more sense as times whizzes by. The six-foot-four German has put up seven points in eight contests skating for Rögle in the Swedish Hockey League this year.
“I don’t know if they’re going to put him on their team right away, but he certainly has the upside to be a legitimate top-four, if not a top-pair guy,” the scout said. “I just like the balls. A little like [Boston Bruin Charlie McAvoy], just willingness to try to make something happen. [And] I haven’t that seen that be a risk thing, where he’s always [taking risks] to make things happen.”
From what I’ve seen of Seider in Europe, he’s definitely a high-risk, high-reward player, willing to skate up into the rush all by himself if he feels that there’s an opportunity to generate offense, but his strength of self-belief is a positive there…
Filip Zadina, RW, Detroit Red Wings: For kids who grow up filling nets in Europe, dreaming of an NHL career, the reality of starting off in the AHL is — let’s be honest — not something that has them turning backflips. For every Euro prospect who comes over and embraces the bus rides, there are handfuls — especially top-10 draft picks — who find it tough to get fired up.
“You don’t tell them when you draft them, ‘See you in Grand Rapids,’” the scout said.
Zadina, drafted sixth overall in 2018, spent most of his first North American season and a chunk of last year with the AHL’s Griffins before joining the Red Wings. He was starting to hit his stride in Detroit when an ankle injury torpedoed his season in early February. He has five goals in seven contests in his native Czech Republic this year, skating for Trinec Ocelari.
The scout thought Zadina showed something during his time in Detroit last year. While his play away from the puck and work ethic will continue to be scrutinized, he’s on the right track. “His shot and ability; he’ll get all kinds of opportunity in Detroit,” he said.
Continued; if I may be frank, the Red Wings do expect their players to spend some time in Grand Rapids riding the bus and learning to be a pro; Zadina has been lucky in that he’s playing for his hometown team with his dad as his assistant coach, and there’s no doubt that he’s enthusiastic about playing “at home”…
Sportsnet is still embarrassing, Seider high risk? I think if the timing of when he chooses to rush i te key. He seems to be progressing very well.
Zadina is like a wild bronco, his increased attention to his own end will continue to grow during a couple of years of rebuild. He will be fine. He obviously is a high tempo player on offense , how many of those do the Wings have now.
A few more in the pipeline that will be “get you out of your seat” players. I don’t want the Wings to be a NJ Devils type of team. You can’t have all the forwards not back checking or all DMen staying home.
I hope Blashill lets the young bucks show their offensive side and not bury them in the press box too early for , in their own end growing pains.
I was going to mention on a couple of your Blogs, these players are still so young. Pretty good upside if you ask me!