The Athletic’s Max Bultman filed a mailbag feature several days ago, and part two thereof hit the internet wires today. Among Bultman’s questions and answers:
How “on the hot seat” is Filip Zadina? Seems like the additions of David Perron, Dominik Kubalik, and the emergence of Jonatan Berggren makes his hold on a roster spot extremely tenuous. — Starlino
I get what Starlino is getting at, because as we sit here today, it’s already hard to find a spot for Zadina on the power play, with Perron, Kubalik, Raymond and Jakub Vrana figuring to lock down spots on the flanks, Larkin and Copp presumably in the bumper, and Bertuzzi and Rasmussen around the net. From that standpoint, yes, there’s certainly some pressure on Zadina this season. You only get so much time to solidify yourself as a key piece, even in a rebuild.
I do think some perspective is helpful when comparing him to Berggren, though. The two were part of the same draft class, and Zadina has played 160 NHL games, compared to none for Berggren. Their paths have been different, and Berggren had a nice season in the AHL last year, no doubt, with 64 points in 70 games. But the difference between the AHL and NHL is steep — in Zadina’s last AHL stint, way back in 2019-20, he had 16 points in 21 games. Which is all to say, Berggren may well make his way into the NHL picture this season, and in time, maybe he ends up better than Zadina. But as of now, I’m not ready to say Berggren’s emerged in a way Zadina hasn’t.
The fact Zadina’s had more NHL opportunities means fans — and likely management — have had more time to grow impatient with him. He does need to have a breakthrough under Derek Lalonde, or a change of scenery could very well be in order. But in terms of losing his roster spot outright? I’ll need to see eight wingers on this roster be better before I’m ready to go there.
Continued (paywall)
