Filip Zadina – Left Winger – 6’1 192lbs – 17 Years Old – Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL – 7gp 4g 6a 10p
Since the last look was at Jared McIsaac of the Mooseheads, we might as well return there for this impressive Czech import. Zadina has the distinction of being drafted twice in the CHL Import Draft. Once in 2016 by the Vancouver Giants and obviously in 2017 by Halifax. He was also drafted in both the USHL and KHL drafts. I’m sure if other leagues had drafts he’d find his way onto them as well somehow. Zadina is set to become yet another first rounder for the Mooseheads. This list includes Nico Hischier (1st 2017), Timo Meier (9th 2015), Nikolaj Ehlers (9th 2014), Nathan MacKinnon (1st 2013) and Johnathan Drouin (3rd 2013) and Jakub Voracek (9th 2007). An embarrassment of riches for most normal CHL squads. Zadina enters the year as an expected top-5 selection. He hovers as high as 3rd to as low as around 7th depending on where you look. The biggest asterisk being can he perform on the North American ice? Can he acclimatize? From this small sample size, I’d say that won’t be an issue as he’s tied for seventh in league scoring.
Zadina really burst on the scene as a potential top prospect in 2016 at the U18 tournament. As a 16 year old he was the Czech Republic’s MVP scoring 4 goals in 5 games. Outperforming 2018 12th Overall selection Martin Necas. He followed that up with another MVP level performance at the following U18 tournament. Yet again he outperformed another high ranking prospect in 21st Overall pick Filip Chytil. He was also instrumental in the Czech Republic winning their only Hlinka Gold Medal. He scored 5 goals in the 4 games. Including two key goals (tying goal to send to OT) in the Final against America. Though it was the miraculous goaltending of the top ranked European goalie Jakub Skarek that saved the day.
Zadina is a dynamic offense generator. He’s not exactly a traditional “sniper… or “playmaker,… doing both very well. He generates a lot of his scoring on the rush using his nice mix of size and speed. While not a power forward by any means, he does play that “Euro… Power Winger style. Like James van Riemsdyk or Filip Forsberg. Puck possession being key. A lot of scouts feel that he has the best hands in the draft in tight. At the moment Zadina enters the draft as likely the presumptive second forward being selected. This is a very strong draft on defense. Think 2008 strong and teams wanting a flashy forward with size will have to take a long look at him, especially if he continues his play throughout the year.
NHL Comparable : James van Riemsdyk