Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Wrap: Filip Zadina Enters The Trade Chat

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2022

Bob Duff

Was Filip Zadina being showcased for other NHL teams when the Red Wings recently gave him the opportunity to skate on the club's top line?

Filip Zadina was recently given a chance to perform on the top forward unit of the Detroit Red Wings alongside captain Dylan Larkin and rookie sensation Lucas Raymond. At the time, the thinking was that the club’s thoughts were to get Zadina going offensively by playing him with two highly-skilled linemates.

Is it possible that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman had an ulterior motive behind this move? Was he showcasing Fiilip Zadina’s abilities for the NHL trade market?

There’s speculation along these lines of thinking being put forward by writer Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff.com. He’s including Zadina’s name in their latest Trade Targets section.

Filip Zadina with a RIP! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/dkj2wWCmbw

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 12, 2022

Zadina did score twice while playing with Larkin and Raymond. Then he was suddenly dropping back to the third line. He still seems to be spending too much time playing on the periphery, even though going to the so-called dirty areas around the net front is rewarding Zadina with goals.

“If Zadina plays his best hockey, he’s a skilled player who can play fast, who can score goals and can be good defensively,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “He’s gotta do all those things to be successful.”

Red Wings Fabs Is Fab

Who’s Hot: Winger Robby Fabbri has scored two of Detroit’s last three goals.

Who’s Not: Even though he’s reclaimed his top-line spot from Zadina, Vladislav Namestnikov has gone six games without a point. He’s scored one goal in the past nine games and just two since Jan. 21.

In Case You Missed It

The Red Wings finished their Florida trip 0-2 and their stretch of seven games against the NHL elite 2-5.

Playing goal for the Red Wings is no picnic.

Grand Rapids Griffins

A night after being shut out, the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins ended up blanking the Iowa Wild 3-0. Posting his first AHL shutout, Victor Brattstrom was earning the win on Saturday at Van Andel Arena. Brattstrom made 35 saves.

The Griffins signed right wing Alexis D’Aoust to a professional tryout. In his Grand Rapids debut, D’Aoust notched an empty netter on a power play. He added and an assist for a multi-point game (1-1-2). Forward Riley Barber received his first point since Jan. 1. It was his second game back from rehabbing an injury that kept him out for nearly two months.

Around The NHL

Washington: Eighth in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals moved 15 points clear of the Wings thanks to Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken.

Boston: A 5-4 shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets put the Boston Bruins 18 points ahead of the Red Wings.

Florida: In a showdown of three of the NHL’s top rookies, Florida Panthers forward Anton Lundell won the night from the Detroit tandem of Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Lundell scored twice as the Panthers whipped the Wings 6-2.

Vancouver: Factoring in last Saturday’s 10-7 win at Detroit, the Toronto Maple Leafs have allowed 13 goals the past two Saturdays. At home this time, the Leafs were whipped 6-4 by the Vancouver Canucks.

Montreal: The Montreal Canadiens are looking to move the final six years of former captain Shea Weber’s contract. Weber’s career came to an end via injury after last season’s run to the Stanley Cup final.