Zadina Destined For AHL?

There was much excitement about what forward Pavel Zadina could bring to the Detroit Red Wings, but a tepid preseason has tempered that excitement somewhat. The sixth player chosen in the 2018 NHL entry draft, Zadina, 18, has two goals in six preseason games, but has often looked to be in over his head performing against NHL-caliber players. That could very well mean that Zadina will launch his pro career outside of the NHL. “It’s just a matter of what’s best for his offense,… Wings coach Jeff Blashill told Mlive.com. “We want him to ultimately be an offensive star. That’s what we’d love to see happen. Since Zadina came to Halifax of the QMJHL as a free-agent, he’s not governed by the NHL-CHL rules, meaning he can be sent down to AHL Grand Rapids. “From my perspective, sitting as the coach in the NHL, I certainly don’t want to lose access to him,… Blashill said. “So by going to Grand Rapids, we wouldn’t lose access to him. If he goes down there and learns the space at the American League and absolutely tears it up, if that was the case that happened that we sent him down, then that’s awesome. Then we can pull him back up, and there’s certainly been examples of that.… Blashill cited Detroit forward Anthony Mantha, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning and David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins as players who’ve become productive NHLers and even NHL stars after starting out in the AHL. “The other thing I’d say about Filip is this is not a matter of learning things defensively,… Blashill said. “He’s a very accountable player defensively already. So it’s not a matter of he’s got to go through this huge learning process defensively, I think he’s actually in a really good spot that way. “If in the end we decide it’s Grand Rapids, then great. Then go down there and be a star.… McIsaac Signs Defenseman Jared McIsaac, a 2018 second-round draft pick, was returned to Halifax of the QMJHL last week, but he officially became a Red Wing on Friday, signing a three-year entry-level deal with the team. “I saw a really good hockey player,… Blashill said of McIsaac’s time in camp. “I know the management staff was real excited about him, thought it was a great pick. He just seems to have confidence and sees and understands the game. He just seemed to be kind of a guy who made plays and was a bit of a ballplayer. “I think he looks like a guy who’s going to be a future NHL defenseman. Now he’ll make that decision based on his choices and how quick he’ll decide that, too, based on his play. My thing to him would be go back and play great, have a huge year. He seems to not have any glaring weaknesses, he’s pretty good at everything, but keep getting better.… Megan Shipped Out Center Wade Megan was assigned Friday to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. The move left the team with 40 players still on the roster - 22 forwards, 14 defensemen and four goaltenders. Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer