Following Tenure With HC Ocelari Trinec, Filip Zadina Returning to Detroit

With training camp expected to open in a few weeks, the Detroit Red Wings have recently been recalling a handful of their players who’ve been playing in Europe over the last few months, which includes the organization’s top pick from the 2018 NHL Draft.

Despite spending the last three months with HC Ocelari Trinec of the Czech Extraliga – the Czech Republic’s top professional league – the club announced on Tuesday forward @Filip Zadina’s loan agreement has been terminated by the Red Wings, forcing him to return to North America by the end of the week.

Along with this announcement, HC Ocelari Trinec also revealed Zadina is planning to travel back to Detroit on Friday, which will provide him with plenty of time quarantine before the team is expected to open camp at the end of December. Once he returns to the ice at Little Caesars Arena, the 21-year old will be hoping to carry his impressive results over from the Czech Republic and apply them to what could be his first full season in the NHL.

Though an injured finger sidelined him for the first couple of weeks of the season, the former sixth-overall selection certainly didn’t miss a beat once he returned to action, as he posted an impressive five points (four goals and one assist) through his first three games. While he won’t be able to finish the 2020-21 campaign with his new team, which is located just over three hours away from his hometown of Pardubice, the youngster should still feel very pleased with what he was able to accomplish during his brief time overseas.

Over his 17 games with HC Ocelari Trinec, Zadina produced eight goals (third-most on his team), 14 points (sixth-most), 0.47 goals per game, 0.82 points per game, and was charged with 18 penalty minutes (tied for fourth-most). Additionally, he also earned a +5 rating during that same timeframe.

After a broken ankle ended his 2019-20 campaign prematurely, the 6-foot forward is determined to prove he deserves to receive regular playing time at the highest level of competition this season. While it’s still a little early to predict the Red Wings’ skating lines, it appears there’s an opening in the top-six group, meaning the left-hander will likely earn an opportunity to compete for that role this winter.

Through 28 games with the Red Wings last season, the former top prospect averaged 15:10 minutes of ice time, generating eight goals, 15 points, 0.29 goals per game, 0.54 points per game, 60 shots on net, 12 takeaways, 11 hits, and 10 blocks.

Similar to Zadina, defenseman @Filip Hronek also spent the last few months playing in the Czech Republic, but the talented young blueliner will also be departing his team (Mountfield HK) and heading to Detroit to prepare for the upcoming season.

Considering the 2020-21 campaign will reportedly be shortened to just 56 games, it’ll be crucial for both Zadina and Hronek to hit the ground running when camp opens, as each of them will be looking to help the Red Wings take a positive step forward in their rebuilding process.