Sadowy Details
Birthday: April 2, 1996
Birth Place: Brampton, ON
Height/Weight: 6’1, 180 lbs
Position: Left Wing
Drafted: 3rd Round 81st overall in 2014 (San Jose Sharks)
Shoots: Left
The Scoop on Sadowy
After being acquired in a trade with the San Jose Sharks before he would have reentered the NHL draft. All reports are that he would have been drafted in the first round had he gone back into the draft. Dylan Sadowy is a player the Detroit Red Wings are hoping will be an everyday player and more in the next few years.
Anytime there is a player like Sadowy who is performing well in juniors that is available before reentering the draft, with the experts and scouts are saying he would be a first round pick, that is a trade you make everyday. San Jose made the deal because they were losing him for nothing and got something back, while the Red Wings made the deal knowing it was unlikely they would have selected him as high as 16th overall, the pick they had entering draft night before they traded down with Arizona.
In the OHL, he scored 116 goals including a 42 goal season with the Saginaw Spirit in 2014-15. Seeing him also score 27, 20 and 25 goals in different OHL seasons. The Wings felt he was worth a third round pick, along with the fact that he would be ready quicker as opposed to drafting a player with that pick, which would take years longer to make the NHL than Sadowy could.
Sadowy had a rough first year of pro hockey last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins. His first in the Wings organization. He also saw time in Toledo (ECHL). Sadowy was a healthy scratch during the Calder Cup Playoffs.
He only scored four goals in 38 games he played in the regular season, clearly not what he had hoped for in his first year of professional hockey. That doesn’t mean he still cannot become a solid NHL player for Detroit.
Expectations For Next Year
Despite the tough year for the Griffins last season, the reason Sadowy was acquired is still the same. The Red Wings are intrigued with his potential ability to score the gritty goals and the potential to be a first round talent. He needs to translate his success in juniors to the AHL and then from there the hope would be he can do that in the NHL as a solid depth player at worst.
The clear expectation for Sadowy this season is to be an everyday top player for the Grand Rapids Griffins. He needs to do this to get his name in the conversation as someone who is close to being called up. In addition, Sadowy needs to prove that last season was not the norm.
Finally, Sadowy will also need to perform well in any preseason action to show the Red Wings staff that he has worked hard this summer, improved his game and is ready to take the next step in his career.
I personally have high expectations for Sadowy and am excited to see how he progresses in his journey to the NHL. I believe he can become a contributor in Detroit within the next few seasons and become one of those players you just love having on your team.
Last Season’s Goals
Youtube user “Double A” has uploaded Sadowy’s hat-trick at the Red Wings development camp last summer for your enjoyment. Also, his comments to MLive after the camp.
