Unexpectedly, it appears like free agency forward Filip Zadina would ultimately sign a professional tryout (PTO) pact with one of three other teams rather than the Buffalo Sabres, despite the initial report suggesting a future with the organization. Pavel Barta of the Czech Republic reports that Zadina will select one team from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Colorado Avalanche, who have all offered the forward tryout contracts for the next training camps. “Filip Zadina is getting close to a PTO agreement, but he’ll sign with another team instead, according to agent Darren Ferris, who spoke with Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News. Additionally, there was conjecture on the @MapleLeafs, @Avalanche, and @CanadiensMTL,” Barta wrote on X on August 27. If Barta is right and Zadina, 24, can prove he’s worth signing a regular-season roster slot when his PTO deal expires, he should try to force his way back into the NHL by choosing between Toronto, Montreal, and Colorado.
When the Detroit Red Wings selected Zadina with the sixth overall choice in the 2018 NHL Draft, he was a top-tier prospect just starting out in the league. But in 262 games over six NHL seasons, he has only managed 41 goals. Franchises that still believe in the reclamation project and want to help Zadina reach his peak with them are still interested in him because of his youth and potential. It’s intriguing to note that Montreal is pursuing Zadina considering their past with the player. With the third overall pick in 2018, the Habs passed on Zadina in favor of Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Zadina said at the time that he would “fill their net” with goals, but considering his poor goal total, that remark has since become ironic.
In 72 games with the Sharks during the 2023–24 regular season, Zadina scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists for a total of 23 points, far surpassing his previous best season in terms of goals scored. In any case, as teams like Colorado, Toronto, and Montreal get ready for the new season and look to bolster their already formidable cores or construct a contender, Zadina presents an enticing low-risk, high-reward chance.
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