The Detroit Red Wings are a middle of the pack team that will be interesting to watch as we get closer to the trade deadline. The Wings sit eight points out of a playoff spot and it looks like they are once again going to miss the postseason. While they have a few rentals who are drawing interest from other teams, one surprising name that was recently mentioned in trade talks – young forward Filip Zadina.
Another situation to keep an eye on: Filip Zadina, Detroit. Steve Yzerman never tips his hand; you can’t help but look at it and wonder if it’s time for a fresh start. – Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts
Zadina is a former first-round pick, sixth overall back in 2018 and it just hasn’t worked out quite as the team expected. He’s in the final season of his entry level deal and will become a restricted free agent at season’s end.
After 19 points in 49 games last season, Zadina has managed only 11 points in 40 games. Not the type of production you’d expect from a former sixth-overall pick in their fourth season in the NHL. Still, he’s only 22 years old and has lots of time to get things on track, it just sounds like with an another organization is a possibility.
Detroit has a number of defenseman who are on expiring contracts and could flip Zadina into a young promising partner for Moritz Seider. The deal could go a long way in Motown as the organization is expecting their young blueliner to become a Norris trophy candidate and adding some depth around him should be paramount.
If Zadina does end up getting moved before the Mar.21 trade deadline, it’s likely to a team that’s out of the playoff picture and wants to give some more ice-time to some younger players down the stretch. The Red Wings have some holes on defense they could start to clean up for next season and some teams to look out for as trade partners would be the Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators and Seattle Kraken. One thing we know, Steve Yzerman is likely going to win the deal.
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
