F Filip Zadina (2018, 6th, DET) Part 2

[izlez]

I always thought that Zadina after a couple years in the minors will turn into an NHL player very much similar to Nazem Kadri.

Care to elaborate on this? I don't see how they are comparable at all

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

He was a no draft for me at #3. Watching him in juniors gave me Drouin vibes but not in a good way. He was very passive with average skating and below average defence. Didn't like his IQ at all. He was always coasting and is one of those players that waits to get the puck instead of getting it himself. That just doesn't fly at the NHL level. It took 6 years for Drouin to finally figure that out. Unlike Drouin however, his raw skills weren't out of this world.

As a Wings fan that watches a lot of GR I very much agree with this description of his game. It appears from his play he is slowly learning that he needs to do more for himself in terms of generating offense. He also needs to continue to find new ways of attacking the center of the ice. He retreats to the boards with the puck far too often in search of time and space. This worked fine in juniors but is a death sentence in the pro game. To be an impactful NHL player he: (i) needs to continue to improve his skating. He has certainly improved his stride and posture over the last year but still needs to make gains in terms of explosiveness, and (ii) figure out how to create time and space for himself at the pro level. He didn't have issues with it in the Q, but the AHL is a different beast.

 

[HabsMD97]

As a Wings fan that watches a lot of GR I very much agree with this description of his game. It appears from his play he is slowly learning that he needs to do more for himself in terms of generating offense. He also needs to continue to find new ways of attacking the center of the ice. He retreats to the boards with the puck far too often in search of time and space. This worked fine in juniors but is a death sentence in the pro game. To be an impactful NHL player he: (i) needs to continue to improve his skating. He has certainly improved his stride and posture over the last year but still needs to make gains in terms of explosiveness, and (ii) figure out how to create time and space for himself at the pro level. He didn't have issues with it in the Q, but the AHL is a different beast.

when you play that type of game your whole life it becomes a habit, a habit that is extremely difficult to change because have to actively THINK about getting the puck which is a huge adjustment for players who got by playing off of instinct. Like I said, Drouin seems to have figured this out THIS season...and he is 24. Maybe Zadina figures it out earlier but it's going to be tough. he's gonna have to diversify his offensive and get to the middle more often and start playing in the corners and front of the net.

 

[HockeyDBspecialist]

Rasmussen's having a fantastic season so far. He suffered big time from the NHL/CHL agreement, in that he wasn't good enough to be in the NHL last year, but was too good for the CHL.

End of the day, I think Rasmussen probably isn't as skilled as a successful Top 10 pick, but his size and demand for that role gives him the Top 10 value.

Rasmussen make his points by being in front of the net, not much else...

 

[izlez]

Rasmussen make his points by being in front of the net, not much else...

....does he need to start shooting more 3 pointers?

 

[theVladiator]

when you play that type of game your whole life it becomes a habit, a habit that is extremely difficult to change because have to actively THINK about getting the puck which is a huge adjustment for players who got by playing off of instinct. Like I said, Drouin seems to have figured this out THIS season...and he is 24. Maybe Zadina figures it out earlier but it's going to be tough. he's gonna have to diversify his offensive and get to the middle more often and start playing in the corners and front of the net.

Thanks for your perspective. My very positive view of Zadina is formed based on WJC viewings, and this flaw isn't really evident there. That makes me think this isn't a habit issue, but consistency/motivation issue. The AHL is the best place to work on that, going back to junior would've been a disaster.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

when you play that type of game your whole life it becomes a habit, a habit that is extremely difficult to change because have to actively THINK about getting the puck which is a huge adjustment for players who got by playing off of instinct. Like I said, Drouin seems to have figured this out THIS season...and he is 24. Maybe Zadina figures it out earlier but it's going to be tough. he's gonna have to diversify his offensive and get to the middle more often and start playing in the corners and front of the net.

Very true, but I have never heard anyone describe Drouin as overly self aware. You can see changes in Zadina's game, even if he has a meaningful ways to go in terms of development in these areas.

 

[WingsMJN2965]

Rasmussen make his points by being in front of the net, not much else...

Tomas Holmstrom made one hell of a career from doing this. He was literally some 40 pounds lighter, and I dare say, hand-eye coordination aside, much less skilled than Rasmussen.

 

[Ezekial]

Rasmussen make his points by being in front of the net, not much else...

His 5 assists this year are him just standing in front of the goalie, yup.

 

[Garl]

Tomas Holmstrom made one hell of a career from doing this. He was literally some 40 pounds lighter, and I dare say, hand-eye coordination aside, much less skilled than Rasmussen.

Hmm, Rasmussen is 250 lbs?

And no, Holmstrom had better goal-scoring instincts and a very advantageous body built aswell.

 

[WingsMJN2965]

Hmm, Rasmussen is 250 lbs?

And no, Holmstrom had better goal-scoring instincts and a very advantageous body built aswell.

NHL has Homer at 200 at last weight.

Ras probably tops out around 240.

 

[Garl]

NHL has Homer at 200 at last weight.

Ras probably tops out around 240.

Yeah, he dropped some weight when he was 40 to keep up with the speed. He was 210 in his prime.

Jagr finished his NHL career at 230, but was 245 in his prime. It's normal for older guys.

 

[newfy]

Hmm, Rasmussen is 250 lbs?

And no, Holmstrom had better goal-scoring instincts and a very advantageous body built aswell.

Hes listed at 230 at the ripe old age of 20 and a 6'6 frame to put weight onto. He could easily be 40 lbs heavier than the listed 200 lbs for Homer, and yeah by the time hes 25 or 30 he easily could be 250.

Hes probably going to be the biggest forward in the NHL when hes in his prime, which is more advantageous than Holmstroms build. Holmstroms goal scoring instincts were go to the net, tip the puck or bang in rebounds. How do you know his instincts are better than Rasmussens at this point?

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

Is this now a Rasmussen and Holmstrom thread ?

 

[LarKing]

We should talk about Seider too. That way a few Habs fans can get it all out in one place.

 

[NickH8]

when you play that type of game your whole life it becomes a habit, a habit that is extremely difficult to change because have to actively THINK about getting the puck which is a huge adjustment for players who got by playing off of instinct. Like I said, Drouin seems to have figured this out THIS season...and he is 24. Maybe Zadina figures it out earlier but it's going to be tough. he's gonna have to diversify his offensive and get to the middle more often and start playing in the corners and front of the net.

Thanks for your perspective. My very positive view of Zadina is formed based on WJC viewings, and this flaw isn't really evident there. That makes me think this isn't a habit issue, but consistency/motivation issue. The AHL is the best place to work on that, going back to junior would've been a disaster.

It seems he's been making an effort to work on this. In the two games I've watched so far he seemed to be better on the fore check than last year. He hasn't been producing but I think he'll start soon. His new line with Turgeon and Svechnikov looked really good, I hope they stick together. Veleno looks a little in over his head.

 

[NotLeddy]

After a very slow start to the year, he now has three goals in three straight games and 8 points in his last 9 games. Four shots on goal tonight, he's definitely been looking a lot better of late

 

[newfy]

After a very slow start to the year, he now has three goals in three straight games and 8 points in his last 9 games. Four shots on goal tonight, he's definitely been looking a lot better of late

8 points his last 9, 5 goals his last 6 I believe and tonight was the only multi point game for him so far. Seems things are starting to click for him

 

[drw02]

8 points his last 9, 5 goals his last 6 I believe and tonight was the only multi point game for him so far. Seems things are starting to click for him

He should have had 2 + 2 tonight. Had an assist taken away due to Elson getting credit for a deflection goal that I'm pretty sure went in off the defenseman and rang a post on a one timer from the hashmarks

 

[Pavels Dog]

Good that he's heating up. Hopefully he keeps it going and doesn't look back. I want him up with the Wings full-time after the TDL.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

I'd really like him to score more goals befitting of a super skilled 6th overall pick. Flash that skill some. Deke somebody out, pick a corner. That kind of thing. He's got a good one-timer from the right circle, but there's got to be more, right? He used to have all the tools.

It's cool that he can score ugly goals too, but that's not what we got him for. Especially now that he's in his 2nd year in GR.

 

[TopC0rner]

I'd really like him to score more goals befitting of a super skilled 6th overall pick. Flash that skill some. Deke somebody out, pick a corner. That kind of thing. He's got a good one-timer from the right circle, but there's got to be more, right? He used to have all the tools.

It's cool that he can score ugly goals too, but that's not what we got him for. Especially now that he's in his 2nd year in GR.

He's been told to simplify his game, reduce his deking by Wings management.

 

[raymond23]

I'd really like him to score more goals befitting of a super skilled 6th overall pick. Flash that skill some. Deke somebody out, pick a corner. That kind of thing. He's got a good one-timer from the right circle, but there's got to be more, right? He used to have all the tools.

It's cool that he can score ugly goals too, but that's not what we got him for. Especially now that he's in his 2nd year in GR.

From someone who watches every game - he makes plenty of flashy plays they just all haven’t converted into goals. Look at last years highlight real and you’ll see some pretty amazing skill displayed.

The fact he’s scored a greasy goal or two is exactly what we should want to see because you’re not just going to dangle everyone all the time.

Zadina is a different hockey player than last year. He’s much more efficient and useful. Folks who watch stats and highlights just aren’t going to get that.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I'd really like him to score more goals befitting of a super skilled 6th overall pick. Flash that skill some. Deke somebody out, pick a corner. That kind of thing. He's got a good one-timer from the right circle, but there's got to be more, right? He used to have all the tools.

It's cool that he can score ugly goals too, but that's not what we got him for. Especially now that he's in his 2nd year in GR.

Don't confuse junior hockey for professional hockey. The two have absolutely nothing in common. Just look at the amount of open ice in that video.

 

[newfy]

He should have had 2 + 2 tonight. Had an assist taken away due to Elson getting credit for a deflection goal that I'm pretty sure went in off the defenseman and rang a post on a one timer from the hashmarks

Yeah I saw that on the Elson goal. It didnt look like it hit him at all and Zadina shouldve got an assist there