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Filip Zadina finds work
Filip Zadina took a big gamble by reaching a mutual agreement with the Red Wings to end his old contract.

After all, the player left $4.56 million (the money remaining on his contract) on the table to bet on himself. He wanted a change of scenery by testing the NHL’s free-agent market…

And, lo and behold, he found a buyer.

The Sharks announced the forward’s signing via their Twitter account. We’re talking about a one-year contract that will pay him $1.1 million next season.

All in all, it’s a good deal for the Sharks, because at this price, it’s far from being a big risk. And it’s only for one season, anyway:

I’m not telling you anything new when I say that Zadina wasn’t able to live up to the high expectations placed on him.

In fact, the 6th overall pick of the 2018 auction has just 68 points (28 goals) in 190 games since his NHL debut, and that’s disappointing production for a top pick like him.

But hey. Zadina will celebrate his 24th birthday in November and maybe he just hasn’t unlocked yet.

Some people thought he wouldn’t be able to get a job in the NHL, because players who are placed on the unconditional ballot often go back to Europe to continue their respective careers. It didn’t make sense to me because Zadina is still young.

In San Jose, I imagine she’ll be given every opportunity to make her mark. The Sharks, who are rebuilding, will want to evaluate the team’s young players next season to build a foundation for the future… And if Filip Zadina performs as the organization hopes, he could find himself with a fine role in the years to come.

In the end, he’ll be the one with the big stick. I don’t necessarily think this is his last chance in the NHL, but he’ll still have to prove that he deserves to play in the best league on earth.

It’s up to him now.


Breaking news

– Nice contract for both parties. He, too, has things to prove.

– The Rocket loses another big player in Peter Abbandonato.

– DeBrincat makes no secret of it. Playing in Detroit was a dream for him.

– With what he’s shown over the past year, it makes sense.

– She has to pack her bags.

– It has to be done!

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