MLive’s Ansar Khan filed an article discussing Filip Zadina’s preseason play for the Red Wings, noting that Zadina has acquitted himself well skating on Dylan Larkin’s wing:
Blashill’s plan was to start the season with Larkin centering Tyler Bertuzzi and Zadina. That remains to be seen. Raymond has been one of their best players in preseason and is making a strong push for a roster spot. Bertuzzi, coming off back surgery, is practicing but hasn’t played in an exhibition game, either due to the back or another undisclosed injury.
Regardless of which line he is on, the Red Wings need more from Zadina than what he produced last season (six goals, 19 points in 49 games).
“From the minute Filip has come to us, I’ve talked to him about being dangerous offensively,” Blashill said. “Certainly, everyone’s got to be complete, but I don’t think Z’s been all that incomplete. There were times late last year he struggled a little bit in his D-zone. I think it’s just continuing to find those ways to create offense, and a lot of it has to come with his brain.
“It just comes with physical maturity, being a little stronger on pucks, being able to get a little more breakaway speed and then his brain. He’s not huge and he’s not super-fast, so he has to use his brain, and I think he’s done a good job of that so far in the preseason.”
