Zadina probably starting out in GR

KJoe88

Forever Lost.
May 18, 2012
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Still would’ve liked to see him start, but I’m fine with this. A year to polish his game up will help him a lot.
 

theYman

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Feb 28, 2008
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Well after tonight's OT winner. Do you think he still has a chance? Still have 2 more games. Love to see him make it.
 

kliq

Registered User
Dec 17, 2017
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:laugh: Oh come on now, "hardest working guy on the team" is an arbitrary definition. Stats prove that Glendening is nothing special on the PK or in a shut-down role. Anyways I'm not worried about Zadina, only trying to point out there are options (such as getting rid of Witkowski which I'd be in favor of).

Edit: We'd also be adding a legit PP specialist to what has been near worst in the league.

Is that really an option though? Someone needs to sit in the press box, and even if Witkowski does play, he's getting maybe 8min a night. I don't want Zadina in either of those roles.
 

Pavels Dog

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Feb 18, 2013
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I'd trade the useless plug Glendening and run Zadina-Helm- Svechnikov as a 4th line. The old "top 6/9 or nothing" excuse is so played out. There never was a spot for Zadina, why not just tell it like it is?
I’m sorry but that would be horrible on so many levels. There is a spot for Zadina, he just needs to take it.
 

SCD

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Apr 8, 2018
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I am a little surprised that Zadina hasn't spent some time on Larkin's line this preseason.
 

Tasteslikekevinbacon

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Oct 26, 2013
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I don’t know if I’d say he should start in the show this year, but the dude has been looking more and more comfortable with the pace of the game and has looked really solid in all three zones. Still a clear work in progress, but he’s been doing the little things right.
 

The Zetterberg Era

Ball Hockey Sucks
Nov 8, 2011
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I would keep him down barring a two point pace or something absurd until after the WJC. Make a call at that point on bringing him up immediately after or waiting another month until the trade deadline and filling Nyquist;s spot.
 

Dotter

THE ATHLETIC IS GARBAGE
Jul 2, 2014
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Zadina isn't ready. Aside from a few snipes, he doesn't look savvy or really showed much prowness. He hasn't stood out like RAS did in his first pre-season. No sneaky passes, no brilliant plays with the puck. Just an extremely poor man's Bret Hull sniper.

To me, he has a lot to work on and really needs to round out his game to NA hockey.

That said, love that he's a Red Wing.
 

Flowah

Registered User
Nov 30, 2009
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I don't think I've seen anything from Zadina that makes me think he makes this team noticeably better right now. Start him in the AHL. Make him our first call up.

I've been *far* more impressed by over half a dozen young players this preseason and camp than by Zadina.

I'm not calling him a bust. He's just not earned it imo. And this coming from someone who's always advocated giving kids more of a chance.
 

jkutswings

hot piss hockey
Jul 10, 2014
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This year feels different.

I'm not going to speculate how big each slice of the pie graph really is (injuries, acceptance of the rebuild, better prospects, better development, etc.). But - at least right now - this is the first time I feel like there could be multiple kids introduced in a short amount of time that eventually become impact players.

I mean, Larkin earned it right away, and continues to do well. And I certainly haven't been disappointed in a Mantha or a Bertuzzi. But 2018-19 finally feels like, "OK. We know we aren't good. But we have several kids we're excited about, with more on the way, and it's all about rebuilding." And it feels like I can agree that it's fine to start Zadina in GR, but still be confident that he will not only make a showing later in the year, but probably do well, based on the flashes he's already provided.

Am I wrong here?
 

Hinterland

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Sep 29, 2016
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This year feels different.

I'm not going to speculate how big each slice of the pie graph really is (injuries, acceptance of the rebuild, better prospects, better development, etc.). But - at least right now - this is the first time I feel like there could be multiple kids introduced in a short amount of time that eventually become impact players.

I mean, Larkin earned it right away, and continues to do well. And I certainly haven't been disappointed in a Mantha or a Bertuzzi. But 2018-19 finally feels like, "OK. We know we aren't good. But we have several kids we're excited about, with more on the way, and it's all about rebuilding." And it feels like I can agree that it's fine to start Zadina in GR, but still be confident that he will not only make a showing later in the year, but probably do well, based on the flashes he's already provided.

Am I wrong here?

Zadina is gonna be a star...that's easy to see. Still, based on what I've seen so far I'm convinced that the kid needs a full AHL season. Some serious seasoning will help him in the long run. Let's not frustrate the kid by giving him limited minutes on a losing team. He's a scorer and wouldn't be happy with the Wings this season...
 

marcmadsen

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Sep 29, 2016
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To me, I think it's obvious that Zadina needs to start the year in GR. He has had a couple of moments and a nice finish or two but he looks a bit physically overmatched, a step slow, and the pace of the game a bit too quick for him. Granted, each game he has played it seems he is adjusting to the pace of the game but he's still behind.

I do think he has all the tools though. You can see the hands and the skill with how he finishes. He just needs to get his feet going a little quicker, his mind moving a bit faster, and put on a bit of strength which is totally normal for an 18 year old
 
Sep 28, 2017
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Probably for the best. It's looking like the Rasmussen and Svechnikov are on the inside lane for roster spots.

The Defence is a tougher call. Blashill has been saying Hicketts has separated himself the most. Given Sulak's age and physical attributes he will probably the be the 2nd "kid" to make the blue line. The first couple of games without Green/Ericsson will determine who sticks long term between Hicketts and Sulak.

A Cholo and Hronek first pairing in the AHL is damn sexy and helps them build chemistry for the big club.

Do you have this quote on Hicketts? If that's really true I'm a little worried about how he evaluates defenseman :laugh:
 

jkutswings

hot piss hockey
Jul 10, 2014
10,841
8,560
Wonder if that's changed after the past two games.
It sounds like it might have, based on this DetNews article (emphasis mine):

Wings' Jeff Blashill hints Filip Zadina might start season in Grand Rapids

'With opening night eight days away, Blashill said Wednesday there’s a chance defensemen Trevor Daley, Danny DeKeyser and Jonathan Ericsson might not be ready for the Oct. 4 game against Columbus.

None of the three are considered long-term injuries; the injuries are just nagging enough to keep them out until late next week.

'The Wings knew defenseman Mike Green (virus) would be unavailable for the opener after contracting a virus that attacked his liver recently. Green will not be ready to begin the season.

'If all four defensemen are unavailable, it could be a very young Wings’ defense corps on opening night.

' “I would say they’re in question,” Blashill said of the three veterans.

'Dennis Cholowski, Joe Hicketts, Libor Sulak and Filip Hronek are the young defensemen who have been battling for roster spots while going against increasingly stronger NHL lineups in this preseason.

' “We want to see if come next Thursday they can help us win more games, and which ones can,” Blashill said. “The only way is to throw them into the fire a little bit.” '
 
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Flowah

Registered User
Nov 30, 2009
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Wonder if that's changed after the past two games.
I thought Hicketts looked a little lost in the last game vs the Bruins. There were a few times in his own end where he bobbled an easy pass or coughed it up because of pressure. He's clearly got a lot of heart to compensate for his size, but ultimately you need d-men who have poise under pressure. He's looked better in the other games but last game reminded me that these are all kids who are going to be prone to inconsistency.

He has not been the most impressive young d-man for me this preseason anyway.
 
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