Red Wings’ Zadina Struggling to Find Answers in Rough 2021-22 Season

Filip Zadina has struggled this season to find his offensive game.

The Detroit Red Wings have placed missing posters out for forward Filip Zadina. The forward has been missing since early October.

The promising 6-foot and 196-pound Zadina is struggling mightily this season. From switching sticks, different lines, and forward positions he can not buy a goal to save his life, as he has accumulated 4 goals and 7 assists for 11 points in 40 games.

The 6th overall pick by Detroit in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft came with a lot of praise and upside. Some “experts” even called Zadina the best prospect in Detroit since Sergei Fedorov.

Filip Zadina has struggled this season.

Where did it all go wrong for Zadina and how can it be fixed? Those are the 2 biggest questions facing the Red Wings front office, as the Detroit Red Wings’ Filip Zadina tries to shake prolonged scoring slump.

Could it be the NHL just is not for him, making him feel overwhelmed, and only accounting for 48 points on 19 goals and 29 assists in 129 games? Is it the different lines on a nightly basis, coaching, or is it between his ears?

High picks go through struggles because of the pressure of being such a high pick but usually find their way out. Has Zadina done everything to turn things around? Maybe a new team to start fresh?

He has incredible skating, a blazing shot, and the quickness to create opportunities. Is it the pressure of living up to expectations, not only his but the organization’s?

In 2 AHL seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins, he played 80 games, totaling 25 goals and 26 assists for 51 points. He could break this slump by shooting more, being placed on a line with scorers, and more power-play time to fire them from his off-wing.

Zadina is a talented player and it is no question why he was taken 6th overall. For him to get out of this slump it comes down to his shot, confidence, and coaching.