I like Zadina's game so much more as a Red Wing than as a draft prospect. I'm not a big fan of goalscorers/snipers. It's a bit of a burden on your linemates if you're number 1 priority is always to simply "get open".
Zadina however, has a completely off the wall game. When he has the puck he's looking to weave a maze to a new angle, and when he doesn't have the puck he's looking for an opportunity to strike through a crack in the D, and he has no bias as to whether he's going to shoot or pass once he's made his move.
Similar to Cholowski, I feel like coaches, media, and fans are having a tendency to overreact to things they see as glaring weaknesses, when in reality they are two players that are very reliant on being plugged into the 5 v 5 match up. I think the reason they stick out sometimes is because as inexperienced, low-key, undersized, stubborn players transitioning through constantly shifting team scenarios, and no consistent linemates, we are in reality seeing these guys at their worst. Whenever they are ready to make the permanent jump, I expect all of their leaks to patch up nicely.
That's a very hopeful analysis.
Unfortunately, I think you could probably make that about any struggling first-rounder. I, myself, have felt the same way about a few prospects over the years. Svechnikov, for example, is not a guy I feel will be best served by returning to Grand Rapids.
Zadina, quite simply, gets in trouble the longer he holds the puck.
It was true last year. It's true this year. At least he's not getting his bell rung as much so far this year, so that's a sign that he's picking his head up.
The passing lanes open and close so quickly in the NHL and right now, Zadina can't seem to figure it out. I'm guessing he adjusts to it.
But I'm not sure he'll ever have the skating/skills to be the elite guy many hoped he'd be.
He tried that fancy move today... the behind-the-back deke. And it literally bought him no space. Veleno did that the other day and got himself a glorious scoring chance.
Why? Because Veleno has that extra gear.
He needs to simplify his game more. Shoot quicker. Pass quicker. Be a bit more north-south.
The kid also needs to get stronger.
There's a lot of work for him to do.