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Former Red Wings Forward Filip Zadina Finally Reaches Full Potential in Switzerland
Photo credit: NHL.COM
Filip Zadina's professional hockey journey has continued in Switzerland where he has found the success he's always wanted with Davos HC.
Filip Zadina is a curious story of an NHL bust who was drafted 6th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft.
He was originally drafted by the Red Wings because he had a goal-scoring touch that any team would love. But was unable to fully unlock his potential in the NHL for reasons unknown, despite receiving opportunities from the Red Wings and San Jose Sharks he's found the key in the Swiss National League.
With Davos HC this season he's scored 34 points (21 G, 13 A) in 43 games with 66 PIMs.
Not only that he'd contribute 5 points ( 2 G, 3 A) in the team's four-game sweep of Zug.
He originally signed with Davos HC in September with much excitement.
The No. 6 pick in 2018 has signed with Hockey Club Davos, the team announced Monday. It's a two-year deal: "Here we go! Willkomma bi ünsch FILIP ZADINA
While Zadina may be a small piece of the team's bigger puzzle, it remains a mystery how he never ended up amounting to much in the NHL.
The Red Wings and Sharks gave him opportunities to show what he was made of and failed miserably.
It goes to show that Ken Holland wasn't great at drafting talent, and instead of selecting Evan Bouchard, he went with Zadina.
Who in all 262 games during his stay in the NHL would only post 91 points (41 goals, 50 assists) spread across six seasons in the league.
Former Red Wings Abroad
Zadina himself isn't the only former Red Wings draft pick who has performed better abroad in Switzerland than in North America.
Austin Czarnik and Dominik Kubalik have found themselves being successful in Switzerland as well.
Kubalik led the Swiss League in goals this season with 27, and Czarnik posted 56 points in 49 games, winning a scoring title in the Swiss National League.
Apparently, some players just aren't built for the NHL and Zadina is the latest bust to find success abroad.
| POLL | ||
MARS 23 | 328 ANSWERS Former Red Wings Forward Filip Zadina Finally Reaches Full Potential in Switzerland Do you think forward Filip Zadina a former 1st-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings was a bust? | ||
| Yes | 288 | 87.8 % |
| No | 40 | 12.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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