NHL Prospect Profile: Filip Zadina

Statistics

Scout Quotes

Filip Zadina is a dynamic offensive forward that plays a complete game. A deft and agile skater, he exhibits explosive mobility both up and down the ice. In all three zones, he proactively looks to create problems for the opposition. His awareness is indicative of his high level of hockey sense, and he knows how to make plays and scoring chances materialize. Has a goal scorer’s toolbox, complete with the individual puck skills that one comes to expect from today’s elite offensive players. The accurate release on his shot is noteworthy and is a defining aspect of his offensive capabilities. Defensively sound, he disrupts lanes and pressures the opposition to make hasty decisions; he is tenacious in pursuit of puck control and transitions up-ice naturally. All-in-all, Zadina can be categorized as both a two-way forward with a well-rounded game and a dominant offensive force. – Elite Prospects

Zadina is easily the best stickhandler among any draft-eligible forwards, and you can count on him to set up quality chances that originate from the corner several times a game. But he’s not just a playmaker — Zadina has elite finishing skills and can beat a goalie in a manner of ways. He has an excellent shot that he can fire off the pass with accuracy, but his shiftiness and quick bursts towards the goal provides him with the chance to deke or flash a deadly backhander. Zadina is a fierce competitior who plays with controlled emotion, and he is not just a point producer — he likes to get in on the forecheck and position himself properly as opponents attempt their breakouts. These anticipation skills lend to his superior command of play development and makes him as dangerous on the penalty kill as he is in other situations. – The Draft Analyst

AJ’s Thoughts

Zadina is a great talent who has solidified himself as the third-best prospect in this class. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be the third player taken because NHL teams are notoriously dumb on draft day but Zadina is a clear cut above Brady Tkachuk and everyone else in the draft class in my eyes. He’s an excellent skater with great playmaking and goal-scoring ability. His hockey IQ is really high-end and stretches to both ends of the ice, not just on offense. He’s an underrated player in his own end and has the makings of a fantastic two-way player who can do everything in the NHL. There isn’t anything he can’t do.

Highlights

Avalanche Fit

Like Svechnikov, Zadina would have been a home run for the Avalanche had he been available. At the 16th pick, he will have spent about 90 minutes or so hanging out with the franchise that actually did select him.

Rankings

#3 Hockey Prospect
#3 ISS Hockey
#3 Future Considerations
#3 McKeen’s Hockey