from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

The Detroit Red Wings drafted Filip Zadina sixth overall in 2018 to provide offense and would like to see more production from him as he begins his fourth season in the organization.

“We would love for him to take that next step offensively,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “If he’s occupying a top-six role he has to take that next step offensively, otherwise somebody else will get that opportunity.”

Blashill said he hopes to keep Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi together all season. Zadina has been on that line during the first three days of training camp, but if he doesn’t click with them, Blashill said he will put someone else in that spot....

“I would be really excited for sure,” Zadina said. “I’m doing the best I can to stick with them as long as I can.”

Zadina, 21, earned praise last season for improving his play without the puck. Blashill said the organization has worked hard to grow his game in several areas.

“I think he has grown in terms of his defensive play, but I think it’s not been bad since he’s come over,” Blashill said. “Some of it is with the puck and learning how to be a little more give-and-go and find those open areas and how to get the puck off quicker, how to be more accurate with his shot. All of that will lead to more offense.

“Ultimately, the best players find ways to create space. Some guys do it by being super-fast, some guys do it by being big. He’s got to use his brain. … When you’re younger you work at shooting it as hard as you can but that’s not really the point. The point is to find those little openings, not to miss the net, and score. I think he’s worked hard on it. Hopefully that shows as we get into the exhibition season.”

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