Should the Edmonton Oilers Sign Filip Zadina?
Filip Zadina, a forward for the Detroit Red Wings, was recently placed on unconditional waivers, making him a free agent. This has sparked speculation about whether the Edmonton Oilers should be interested in signing him. Zadina was drafted by current Oilers general manager Ken Holland and director of amateur scouting Tyler Wright when they were with the Red Wings. However, before making a decision, it’s important to analyze Zadina’s performance and how he could potentially fit into the Oilers’ lineup.
Zadina was chosen as the 6th overall pick in the 2018 draft, just before the Vancouver Canucks selected Quinn Hughes. The Red Wings took a gamble on Zadina, but so far, it hasn’t paid off. In his draft plus one season, Zadina played in the AHL and scored .59 points-per-game, which is solid but not exceptional for a player of his age. In comparison, Jesse Puljujarvi, who is often used as a benchmark for comparison, posted .72 points-per-game in his draft plus one season with the Oilers’ affiliate team.
One area where Zadina has shown promise is his ability to suppress opposition offense when playing against mid-level competition and weaker opponents. This specific skill set could be valuable for the Oilers, who have a strong offensive lineup but struggle with suppressing offense from their opponents. In fact, Zadina’s GA-60 at five-on-five was second-best among forwards who played over 350 minutes in the 2022-23 season. This suggests that Zadina could be a useful bottom-six option as an outscorer on a more talented team like the Oilers.
However, when it comes to offense, Zadina’s performance has been underwhelming. In the NHL, he has averaged 12 goals, 17 assists, and 29 points per 82 games. These numbers are similar to Puljujarvi’s offensive output. Zadina’s skill set suggests that he should be playing on a scoring line, but his production indicates that he is better suited for third- or fourth-line deployment. In terms of offensive ranking among regular forwards in the NHL, Zadina falls towards the bottom.
It’s important to consider the competition that Zadina would face at Oilers training camp. Young players like Raphael Lavoie and Dylan Holloway are also vying for NHL spots and have shown promising performances in the AHL. Zadina’s offensive numbers in the AHL are not significantly better than Lavoie’s, and he trails behind Holloway. While Zadina could potentially score on a line with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, this is true for most wingers at or near the NHL level. There is nothing in Zadina’s offensive resume since turning pro that makes him a priority signing for the Oilers.
If the Oilers were to sign Zadina, he would likely have to accept the minimum contract allowed due to the team’s limited cap space. There may be other teams that can offer a more lucrative contract opportunity. Additionally, Holland and his staff would need to assess whether Zadina’s usage with the Red Wings negatively impacted his performance. Holland has a history of being patient with high draft picks but may be hesitant to double down on mistakes.
In conclusion, while Zadina could potentially bring value to the Oilers with his ability to suppress opposition offense, his underwhelming offensive production raises questions about his fit in the lineup. With other young players like Lavoie and Holloway also competing for NHL spots, it may be best for the Oilers to pass on signing Zadina. Ultimately, the decision will come down to Holland and his staff, who will need to carefully evaluate Zadina’s potential impact on the team.