By @MichaelCaples –
DALLAS – They weren’t supposed to have a chance at him.
They jumped on the opportunity.
With the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings selected sniper Filip Zadina Friday night in Dallas.
A native of Pardubice, Czech Republic, Zadina came to Canada for the 2017-18 season, and promptly scored 44 goals and 82 points in 57 games with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads. He was ranked No. 3 among all North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings, and No. 2 in the midterm.
“High-end skilled forward with excellent playmaking ability,” NHL Central Scouting says of Zadina. “He has very good vision, excellent anticipation and exceptional natural instincts. Possesses strong puck skills, a quick, accurate release, and looks to shoot. He is committed to playing a two-way game.”
Zadina, who was awarded the Mike Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL’s best professional prospect, checks in at 6-foot-0 and 197 pounds.
He posted a team-best seven goals among his eight points in seven games at the 2018 World Juniors, which earned him a spot on the All-Star Team alongside forward Casey Mittelstadt (Buffalo), Kieffer Bellows (NY Islanders), defensemen Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo) and Cale Makar (Colorado) and goaltender Filip Gustavsson (Ottawa).
Stay tuned for more from Dallas…