Filip Zadina Takes Major Shots at Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings

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James Connelly
July 18, 2023 (11:40)

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The former top pick has some choice words for the Wings.

Zadina's Rocky Relationship

In 2018, the Detroit Red Wings drafted Filip Zadina 6th overall after he was projected as a top-three pick. They selected Zadina with the idea of him becoming a top-line goal scorer but he has not been close to developing into that.

Last season, Zadina played 30 games with the Red Wings and registered only 3 goals and 7 points. Quite lackluster numbers from a player as highly touted as Zadina.

This offseason, Zadina and the Red Wings agreed on a mutual contract termination which sees Zadina forfeit nearly $5 million in potential earnings.

Zadina Fires Shots

In a recent interview, Zadina explained why he decided to leave the Red Wings.

"I would rather go somewhere else to get the opportunity and prove myself that I'm still a good player as I used to be."

He also followed it up with why he decided to go to the Sharks.

"That was making my decision even harder because there were good teams I could go to. I spoke to a bunch of GMs, a bunch of coaches, and a bunch of players called me from different teams. It was really a hard time to decide but I believe I did the right decision going to San Jose."

At the end of the day, Zadina will be getting a fresh start with the Sharks and will likely play alongside fellow Czech Tomas Hertl in hopes of finally breaking out into who he can be as a player.