Possible Vegas Golden Knights PTO candidate Filip Zadina has decided to sign with HC Davos in Switzerland.
The 24-year-old was the sixth overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL draft but never lived up to the expectations given to him. In 262 career NHL games, Zadina scored 41 goals and 91 points.
The latest step backward for Zadina was after he failed to take a leap in his development playing on the San Jose Sharks. He was given more ice time and an offensive role but failed to capitalize.
Joining the NL side HC Davos will hopefully help Zadina regain his confidence and possibly create an avenue for him to rejoin the NHL.
“Despite his young age, Filip brings a lot of experience and offensive qualities,” said Davos GM Jan Alson. “He is still very young and has not yet reached his full potential. Filip will be one of seven import players on the squad. This will give the coaching staff more options to put the best team on the ice in every game.”
According to Czech media outlet hokej.cz, Zadina was close to re-signing with his hometown club Dynamo Pardubice, with the sticking point being the term of the contract. Pardubice wanted to lock him up long term while Zadina would like to keep options open for returning to the NHL.
Kevin Weekes reported that three teams were interested in signing Zadina to a PTO but the teams were never revealed. The Golden Knights were never directly linked to Zadina but with their need for depth scoring and Zadina looking to revive his career, the two joining forces made sense.
That dream for some Golden Knights fans is currently dead but could be revisited in a few years.
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