Red Wings select Filip Zadina with no. 6 pick in 2018 NHL Draft

In a stunning turn of events, the Red Wings select two-way dynamo winger Filip Zadina from the Halifax Moosehead.

Before you read any further… All you need to see is this quote:

Love Filip Zadina’s swagger. Said he’s going to make Montreal & Ottawa pay for passing on him.
“I was telling my agent, if they will pass on me, I’m going to fill their nets with pucks. I want to prove to Detroit that they make a pretty good decision.”

— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) June 23, 2018

Instant fan favorite, no?

The Vitals

Age: 18
Hometown: Pardubice, CZE
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 197 lbs
Position: LW/RW

What the experts say

An all-round elite player with great size, he is a superb skater. Very smooth, he is well balanced and very agile. A solid youngster on his skates. Top speed is above average. So is his acceleration. His feet are always moving. He’s never stationary, so it seems like he’s everywhere. Scouts rave about his explosiveness. An extremely fun player to watch because he’s a threat to score every time he’s on the ice. His puckhandling is elite and he often catches defenders flat- footed. He can evade pressure and protect the puck at high speeds, and he especially loves to attack open spaces. He’s got a nose for the net and likes to set up in that low-slot area. During battles in the corner or while being checked, you don’t see him being pushed away from the puck. His shot is already considered by scouts to be at a pro level – in other words, NHL-ready. Because of his hockey IQ, he can dominate games. He also uses his teammates well. Defensively, he appears to be aware of his responsibilities. He will put his stick in passing lanes and take his man on the backcheck. With Halifax, Zadina produced 82 points, including 44 goals, in 57 appearances. Very high expectations for the Czech on draft day. While he does project as a better winger, he does have the ability to play down the middle allowing him to be a versatile option.

-FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

Analyzing the pick

Zadina was originally rated as a top-three pick. With the Canadiens, Senators, and Coyotes going off the board with their picks, the Red Wings found Zadina right in their lap.

Simply put, Zadina is the kind of player you skip over a defenseman for. The Red Wings simply took the best player available with this pick. Zadina is likely one of the best two-way threats in the entire draft. A dynamic talent with an absolute lethal shot. In his first year in the QMJHL, he turned heads with his massive production in a big role.

Do you like this pick?