Yeah, I’m from Halifax and saw him play all season. It’s unfortunate he’ll probably not be coming back. We still have an import spot open but it’s not looking like he’ll be coming back. We’re hosting the Memorial Cup and with him that’ll make the team so much better. Don’t get me wrong we do have a very strong roster but we’ll see where he lands. I honestly don’t follow much AHL hockey so I don’t know much.
The Wings have confirmed he will be in the NHL or AHL. I cannot think of something that would change there thinking. Short of a bad pre-season injury that we all are hoping doesn't happen they have turned that page. As an organization right on down to some players including Larkin they have all discussed how happy they are that Zadina is AHL eligible.
There is the feeling that even if they start him in the AHL they expect him to be up in the NHL at some point too. We will see, but I wouldn't hold out a whole lot of hope that a change in thinking is coming from the Wings.
I used to be kind of a snob about the NHL having grown up in a family that were Wings season ticket holders. However, I spent a lot of time living in Milwaukee and it really altered my opinion. The AHL really helped me evaluate the difference in players and that got expounded on once I started watching even more major junior. But if you're into prospects watching all three levels helps you project guys forward a little in my opinion. On most nights you are watching probably 8 to 10 future NHL players, some nights more. The quality of hockey is pretty good, a lot of guys that won't make it have an exploitable weakness or just process the game a step slower than NHL guys but I have to say I enjoy that level. I have found it to have a little more physicality because the game is processed a little slower. But should you be able to attend an AHL contest, I always encourage people to go. They are usually a pretty reasonable ticket expense wise and it is one of the best leagues in the world. There are some players that are going to have some lengthy NHL careers playing most nights.