Getting Their Fil Of Good News

Jonathan Ericsson benched? Filip Hronek and now Filip Zadina recalled from AHL Grand Rapids. Forget Monday’s NHL trade deadline, suddenly it feels like Feb. 25 is Christmas for Detroit Red Wings fans, because all of their dreams appear to be coming true. Fan lightning rod Ericsson was a healthy scratch from the Detroit defense for two of the last three games to make room for Hronek, summoned from the minors a week ago for his third stint this season with the big club. “I was trying to get better on the penalty kill and my defensive game,… Hronek told Mlive.com of his mission during his latest tour with the AHL Griffins. “I get my confidence there and yeah, I feel more comfortable, I know guys more and it’s easier to play now.… This Saturday, there’s was another Fil of big news. Right-winger Filip Zadina, selected sixth overall by Detroit in the 2018 NHL entry draft, practiced with the Wings and will make his NHL debut Sunday at Little Caesars Arena against the San Jose Sharks. Zadina had assembled 3-6-9 totals during a seven-game point streak prior to his recall from Grand Rapids. The earliest the Wings had made a pick in the first round of the draft since 1990, there was high hopes for Zadina to crack the lineup out of training camp, but his camp was a disappointment. He struggled to find open space on the ice and to create scoring opportunities for himself. “I’ve grown a lot, I guess,… Zadina said of his AHL apprenticeship. “Grand Rapids helped me a lot during the regular season when I’ve been there, through the offensive zone, neutral zone, defensive zone, all over the ice. “Huge thanks for them, they made me a better player than I was at the beginning of the season.… Zadina offers no explanation why he’s suddenly piling up the points. He’s talied 5-11-16 digits over his last 10 games. “I didn’t change anything,… Zadina said. “I’m just playing my way, I’m patient. Now it’s coming. It’s great feeling to score points. We’re winning as a team, so it’s a huge feeling.… The Wings have expressed to Zadina that he be patient and enjoy his first taste of NHL action. They know he’s not yet a finished product and don’t expect him to dominate. He’ll skate on a forward line with Luke Glendening and Thomas Vanek. He’ll also be allotted time on the power play. “Filip, his job is to shoot when he gets those passes, not to look to go back to (his linemates and things like that,… Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “It doesn’t mean he can’t make a play but I expect him to shoot pucks tomorrow.… Zadina will get at maximum a nine-game audition so as not to burn a year of his NHL entry-level contract and then will return to Grand Rapids for the AHL playoffs. “I have to impress them for next season, so I know I’m going back after the nine games, but it means nothing for me,… Zadina said. “I’m just going here to have fun and just play my hockey, play my best and we’ll see. If they like me they will probably keep me the next season. “It’s about having fun right now. It’s nine games. I’m kind of nervous about it. The game tomorrow is my first NHL game. I guess every single player is nervous a little bit but I’m not under pressure. Just kind of nervous. Just go and have fun.… The Wings made another roster move Saturday, returning goalie Harri Sateri to AHL Grand Rapids. Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer