from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,
The Detroit brass is fond of Zadina because he’s willing to listen to advice and to put in the time and effort to hone his craft. They witnessed this side of his character during his rehab from his leg injury.
“He just put his head down,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “He worked hard. These guys are pros, but this was different. He just attacked it. It would be hard not to notice what he put into it.”
That being said, the fact of the matter is that Zadina hasn’t produced offense at the level anticipated from a player chosen so high in the draft. On the other hand, entering the second year of a three-year deal that’s paying him $1.825 million, if Zadina can match his 10-14-24 numbers of two seasons ago, or even improve on those totals, that’s pretty good bang for the buck from a bottom-six forward.
From where our team is, I really feel were heading in the right direction. I like the core thats been solidified. You saw three really big resignings throughout the season (Jake Walman, Dylan Larkin, Olli Maatta) that give us just a little bit more of this group thats gonna be here moving forward. I think everybodys really excited about that. And then itll just be adding in a few more new faces to hopefully freshen up the group, get a little bit more offense and get us going from there.
I think everyones really excited about the start of next year. I think everyone felt steps this year maybe not as many as we wouldve hoped. But I think its more just the surrounding atmosphere and the culture that we felt like took a step forward. Obviously there was improved play on the ice in terms of points overall and specific areas. I think the next step is right there for us.
Who said it?
I really wish I could just forget when he went in the draft...
The biggest "issue" with Zadina is the whole hype about filling up the nets and where he was drafted. If he was drafted at #76, not #6, he would have been a considered a solid bottom six forward. My question is how almost every analyst got it wrong with him because it's not a question of attitude or laziness. Zadina actually works hard and listens, I just think his talent was way overestimated.
Don't forget, Zadina himself added fuel to the fire with tweets mentioning his goal scoring prowess.
from Max Bultman of The Athletic,
Here are some of the most notable options, grouped by tiers.
Good player, but likely too expensive
Damon Severson
If all else were equal, Severson is probably the name who could make the biggest impact on the Red Wings outlook next season. Hes got some size at 6-foot-2, has been a steady producer for a while now, and had outstanding possession and expected goals numbers this year on a breakthrough Devils team. Hes used to playing 20-plus minutes per game, too....
Matt Dumba
Its a similar story for Dumba, and although Im skeptical hell get the six years above $6 million as Evolving Hockey projects, even a four- or five-year deal would get into itchy territory after a down season in Minnesota. Dumba has long been a top-four staple for the Wild, which is likely where the projection comes from, but he had just 14 points in 79 games this season a career low over a full campaign and his underlying defense numbers went the wrong direction, too....
Scott Mayfield
Mayfield played 21 minutes a night for the Islanders last season, and while thats the first time hes crossed the 20 mark over a full season, hes routinely been at or above 19 for a team thats made multiple runs to the Eastern Conference Finals. He has the length Detroit looks for on defense at 6-foot-5, too...
Ideal fit
Radko Gudas
On the surface, picking Gudas as the ideal fit may seem strange. He just turned 33, and for a team that hasnt made the playoffs since 2016, he doesnt figure in as a long-term piece....
more ($) names
I'd be tickled to see either Gudas or Schenn on the team.
A thing of beauty - ordered my McCarty jersey soon after that.
from Wayne Scanlan of Sportsnet,
The most obvious trade candidate, of course, is Detroit, so close to DeBrincats hometown.
The Wings have a few young players that could be part of a deal for DeBrincat, as long as the two parties dont mind trading within the division.
Dorion has no shortage of opportunities to trade a player with DeBrincats scoring resume.
And Dorion has already succeeded on one front the fan base is getting used to the idea that The Cat may not come back.
more but no other mention of the Wings....
Zadina needs a new start somewhere else.
I am pulling for him, but to be successful he needs to go to the dirty areas.
I don't care who makes the team, I just can't see a spot in the top 12 forwards.
I'm still not ready to write Zadina off - this is a guy who put up nearly a goal a game in the Q and then a combination of injuries and the COVID season really put a dent in his ability to adjust to the man's game. Dobber Hockey projects a player of his size's breakout season usually comes at the 200 NHL game mark, and Zadina's at 190. This could be his year if given a chance. At his 1.8M contract size, he's an affordable option in the bottom six with a high ceiling if nothing else.
2024 Stanley Cup Odds to Win
Boston Bruins
15/2
Colorado Avalanche
8/1
Edmonton Oilers
10/1
Toronto Maple Leafs
10/1
Carolina Hurricanes
11/1
New York Rangers
12/1
Vegas Golden Knights
12/1
Florida Panthers
14/1
New Jersey Devils
14/1
Dallas Stars
16/1
Tampa Bay Lightning
16/1
Calgary Flames
22/1
Minnesota Wild
25/1
Los Angeles Kings
28/1
Pittsburgh Penguins
28/1
Seattle Kraken
33/1
Buffalo Sabres
40/1
Ottawa Senators
40/1
New York Islanders
45/1
Washington Capitals
50/1
Winnipeg Jets
50/1
Vancouver Canucks
55/1
Nashville Predators
60/1
Detroit Red Wings
66/1
St. Louis Blues
66/1
Columbus Blue Jackets
100/1
Anaheim Ducks
125/1
Arizona Coyotes
125/1
Chicago Blackhawks
150/1
Montreal Canadiens
150/1
Philadelphia Flyers
150/1
San Jose Sharks
150/1
zing. these mostly favor the teams with big names and star power, logically. Boston may drop a lot by the end of the summer. is this confirming the NHL has moved past the Caps-Penguins era?
Father Time aint never lost one yet.
Love it, for Pittsburgh anyway.
Words to live by, RW😉☘
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic,
I dont know for sure which teams are on DeBrincats list, but I would bet it includes the likes of Nashville, Vegas and Dallas. (Everyone wants to play in Vegas!) And I wonder about a team like Detroit. It wouldnt surprise me if the Red Wings would be of interest to DeBrincat
There is no question the prolonged process in the sale of the Senators has impacted the DeBrincat situation.
Theres no point even pretending to deny that.
If youre DeBrincat, how can you entertain the notion of signing long-term with the Senators without knowing who owns the team? What the vision of the team after new ownership takes over will be? Who the GM will be whether Dorion gets replaced immediately or gets another year to prove himself to ownership and then maybe gets extended or replaced next summer?
more ($) and other topics too...
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