Red Wings forward Filip Zadina needs to engage in something of a re-set at 22 years of age, and new coach Derek Lalonde is more than ready to give Zadina that opportunity, as MLive’s Ansar Khan notes:
“I meant it in the offseason when I want to give everyone a fresh start,” Lalonde said. “I watched a lot of tape over the summer, but I was very cautious with it. Even on the one side where I want to give a fresh start, I don’t get too excited on the other end of some positives I’ve seen. On both ends I want to be very cautious and have a true fresh start for everyone.”
Zadina, 22, had 10 goals and 14 assists in 74 games last season. Despite moving up and down the lineup depending on his performance –mostly on the second or third line — Zadina played regularly on the power play under former coach Jeff Blashill.
“I think I’ve done everything I could to use the opportunity I had and right now it’s a fresh start, a fresh opportunity,” Zadina said Saturday, following the third day of training camp in Traverse City. “I just want to take it and be a better hockey player.”
General manager Steve Yzerman, in his exit meeting with Zadina, told him he’s on the right path to becoming a good NHL player and provided encouragement.
“All young players, all scorers in particular, always measure (themselves) on goals and assists, in particular for higher draft picks,” Yzerman said. “Everybody wants to see the goals and assists. You fall into that yourself — ‘I got to produce. I got to produce.’ Ultimately, if you do all the other things well, the pucks will go in the net for you.
“So, my message to Filip was to continue to do all the little things well and the pucks will go in the net. He’s a hard worker. When I talked to our strength coaches and staff about his dedication off the ice, he really wants to be a good player and knows he’s got things to improve upon. I expect him to take another step forward. I think his attitude is excellent, his work ethic is excellent. He just needs to stick with it.”
