Because he's got 7 points in 10 NHL games this season? Versus Hirose who had the same in 23 games? Veleno who has 11 points in 28 games in a lesser league? Or Ras who floundered at the NHL level at the same age? Seider has made a great jump over, but he's still got a lot to work on before making the jump to the NHL. Of the candidates, Zadina so far has proven the most at the highest level.
Hirose got 7 points in 10 games last season too. Look where that got him. My point is, points aren't everything. To me it was obvious Hirose was not an NHLer last year, even after getting those points. I feel he's closer now than last year though, even with less production, which is good.
As for Zadina, I think he has a great mentality and knows how to work hard to be better, the guy wants to succeed, and at this point I'm convinced he will. I didn't like the pick vs Hughes but Zadina is slowly but surely getting better and better. I wish I could have interviewed him because I think he would have made me a believer with his hard-working mentality at the draft. I've been down on our first rounders in 16, 17 and 18, but Zadina is proving to be the real deal and I'm more than ready to admit I will most probably be wrong about him! He has improved so fast and fixed many things I didn't like about his game. In 2019, I wanted Seider and the Wings got Seider, so it's obvious to me who's #1 in my mind.
Habs fans were making fun of the Wings with the Zadina pick after his quote of filling their net with pucks and were so convinced Kotka was the better pick. I think Zadina is trending a little better. His improvements have been very noticeable.
Amongst those first round prospects, I agree with you that Zadina has proven the most at the NHL level and that is good to see, the Wings absolutely need it