When Filip Zadina was told he’d be a healthy scratch Tuesday, he reacted the way you’d expect any player who was told he wasn’t going to play would.
“I was disappointed for sure,” said Zadina after Thursday’s morning skate in Anaheim, for a game that was postponed. Due to COVID-19 issues surrounding the Ducks, the game was rescheduled to Sunday.
“And I was pissed.”
But having time to think about it, and expected to return to the lineup, Zadina was in a clearer frame of mind.
“I feel better,” Zadina said. “I’m excited about being back and getting things going again.”
It’s largely been a struggle for Zadina this season, a year many analysts believed could be a breakthrough for him. That hasn’t been the case
More: Niyo: Filip Zadina’s next shot with Red Wings needs to be his best
Zadina, 22, a 2018 first-round (sixth overall) draft pick, hasn’t scored a goal in the past nine games. He’s had one in the last 14 games. Zadina had a minus-10 rating in his last seven games, and didn’t have a shot on net in the last two games. Zadina was also in COVID protocol during that span, all the while dropping further down the lineup.
In 32 games, Zadina only has 10 points (four goals, six assists).
After the two disappointing games returning from the break, it wasn’t a complete shock Zadina was benched.
“When I was back in the Czech Republic, it probably happened twice, I guess, when I played in the men’s league. But this is the first time in a while,” Zadina said. “But it’s hockey life, and I’m not the first one and (I won’t) be the last one to be in this situation.
“I just have to keep my head up and I want to be better.”
Zadina watched Tuesday’s game while working out at Little Caesars Arena.
“I just have to figure out what I have to do to be better, to be in the lineup,” Zadina said. “Just play better overall.”
For a stretch in December, Zadina was playing a fairly complete game. Coach Jeff Blashill made a point, on several occasions, to talk about Zadina’s effort defensively, and the fact Zadina’s offensive opportunities were bound to result in goals.
But the chances produced no goals. Ultimately, defensive issues arose as Zadina’s confidence appeared to sag.
“I was frustrated because I had a lot of chances,” said Zadina of his offensive output. “But it’s the way it is. I had a good practice (Thursday), had a good workout, so I feel a lot better.
“I just have to keep shooting and hit the spots where the goalie isn’t, I guess. Just keep believing and I hope it’s going in at some point.”
Blashill believes Zadina can be a complete player who can do more than simply score goals.
“Filip is more than just a shooter,” Blashill said .”He’s valued himself that way and certainly the hype was around his shooting (coming out the draft), but he’s more than just a shooter.
“The one thing we’ve talked about with him is becoming more of a give-and-go player. When I watched him in junior, he was a guy who could make plays. He wasn’t a one-trick pony and just shooting pucks.
“Z cares a lot. He’s tried real hard, he competes hard. I don’t think he’s been rewarded on the number of chances he’s had. That’ll come. I don’t think he’s played as well the last two games prior to the break and he has to get his game back on.
“He knows what he has to do and sometimes it takes some time. So, go back in the lineup and hopefully he can be successful.”
Game off
The Wings’ game scheduled Thursday at Anaheim was postponed due to COVID-related issues affecting the Ducks.
Anaheim would have been without eight players because of protocol and three other players who are injured.
The one positive for the Wings is it won’t take long to make this one up.
The game has been rescheduled for Sunday, at Honda Center (time to be announced). The Wings are currently on a three-game road trip through California, and are scheduled to play at Los Angeles on Saturday.
They’ll wind up the trip Tuesday in San Jose.
The Wings already have four games that have been postponed due to their own COVID-related issues before and after the holiday break.
The Wings have a home game against Colorado, and games in Minnesota, at the New York Rangers and New York Islanders to be rescheduled. The NHL has yet to announce when those games will be played.
The Zegras play
Ducks forward Trevor Zegras is in protocol and wouldn’t have played Thursday, but is now expected to play Sunday. It’ll be the first game Zegras and the Wings’ Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider — the three leading candidates for the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) — will be on the ice in the same game.
Zegras, who played on the Plymouth Township-based United States National Development Team Program, created a monumental stir several weeks ago on social media with his creative set up of teammate Sonny Milano’s goal.
Zegras set up Milano with a lacrosse-style pass over the net that Milano batted into the cage.
Blashill enjoyed seeing the creativity of the young players and would like to see more of it in the game. For that to happen, kids at the youth levels need to play without constraints.
“I hope the game continues to evolve,” Blashill said. “I do think players are very skilled at young ages and if we don’t stifle them by placing winning as so much of a great importance at the youth level, then we will see really creative Pavel Datsyuk or Trevor Zegras players.
“If we stifle them, we won’t see as many.”
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan