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According to a Czech reporter, the Habs would like to offer a PTO to Filip Zadina

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 1: Filip Zadina #18 of the San Jose Sharks skates ahead with the puck into the third period against the Seattle Kraken at SAP Center on April 1, 2024 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/NHLI via Getty Images)

Filip Zadina’s name was popular in Montreal, just days before the 2018 NHL draft.

In the end, the Habs decided to select Brady Tkachuk Jesperi Kotkaniemi with the 3rd overall pick… A decision that is still the talk of the town today.

That said, Zadina was selected 6th overall by the Wings and never, ever lived up to the (enormous) expectations placed on him at the time.

The forward signed a one-season contract with the San Jose Sharks last summer, and even then, he didn’t produce to the level of his talent.

He collected 23 points (13 goals) in 72 games played for the Sharks, and now finds himself still without a contract for next season.

The plan would be for him to sign a PTO (professional tryout) before the start of the camps, and at this level, there are rumours that he’s headed for Buffalo.

However, according to a Czech reporter (Pavel Barta), the Habs are also interested in offering him a PTO:

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In his tweet, Pavel Barta also talks about the Avalanche and Leafs… While saying that the Buffalo rumors are false.

Anyways.

What interests us here is the link between Zadina and the Habs.

We know that the Habs need to find a way to score goals, and we know that Zadina has a very offensive style when he’s on the ice.

He has everything to interest Kent Hughes: we’re talking about a player who’s only 24 years old and who was drafted so quickly because of his offensive qualities. We’re talking about a low-risk gamble, and we know the Habs GM likes players like that.

However, we’re also talking about a player who can’t be placed in any situation because his defensive game is lacking. Zadina has often cheated since his NHL debut because he wants to help his club offensively, but it doesn’t work that way in today’s National League.

Especially when your coach’s name is Martin St-Louis… #ColeCaufield

The project could be interesting to some because, in the end, the risk is really minimal.

At worst, if he doesn’t make the club, all the Habs have to do is release him to give him another chance elsewhere… And it wouldn’t cost much to try to fit him into the Montreal lineup, even though there are already plenty of forwards with a guaranteed spot in town.

Yes or no?

Overtime

– It’s going to be tough…

– Bummer.

– It happens.

– Tiger Woods, John Daly… And Bryson Dechambeau.