As the Red Wings surge past the half way point of the season and inch closer to the trade deadline, what have been the high points and positives of another rebuilding season. Along with Octopus Thrower writers Alex Faber and myself, Detroit Jock City’s Bob Heyrman joined to weigh in.
Alex Faber – Octopus Thrower
Near the beginning of the season, there was debate about whether this team was really any better than last year’s dumpster fire. Halfway through, I think the fact that I’m having trouble picking just one positive means that this is an improvement.
I could go with Dylan Larkin returning to form, or Troy Stecher‘s great season. I could write about the insane level of play we’ve seen from Jonathan Bernier . However, if I’m thinking about the future of the team, the biggest positive has to be Filip Zadina. Throughout the first couple of weeks of the season, although he was still playing good hockey, Zadina just couldn’t find the back of the net. But after a two goal performance, something seemed to flip in Zadina.
Since that point, it’s like we’ve seen an improved player every time he steps onto the ice. From shooting at any given chance, to just willing himself into the offensive zone, Zadina seems to be a player that’s finally clicking. Although the goals still aren’t really coming, he’s been involved in a bevy of plays. Whether it be setting a fantastic screen for a Jon Merrill rocket, or creating a great scoring chance that gets knocked in with a redirect, it seems like he’s finding a way to get involved in every play when he’s on the ice. I am extremely excited to see what the second half of the season holds for this promising young player.