After one season with the San Jose Sharks, 24-year-old forward Filip Zadina is still searching for a new NHL contract, and with the summer winding down, multiple teams have begun to show interest in the Czech Republic native.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Weeks, at least three teams have been in contact with Zadina. It had previously been reported that Zadina had received an offer for a pro tryout from the Buffalo Sabres, but Lance Lisowski of the Buffalo News denied that.
My sources say that there are currently three clubs in negotiations to acquire F. Zadina. #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/xNWJvoMxHz
— Kevin Weeks (@KevinWeekes) August 27, 2024
Zadina’s agent, Darren Ferris, told Lisowski that the process is underway to sign an NHL contract, and while no specific teams were named, it does seem like something is brewing around Zadina.
Zadina signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Sharks heading into the 2023-24 season. He was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of his contract, but the Sharks did not extend him a qualifying offer, making him a rare young unrestricted free agent.
In his lone season with the Sharks, Zadina appeared in 72 games and recorded 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists). This may not seem like much, but the Sharks were the worst team in the NHL and his 23 points were tied for the sixth-most points on the team.
Prior to joining the Sharks, Zadina played five seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, where he recorded 68 points (28 goals, 40 assists) and a minus-51 rating in 190 games with the Red Wings.
The Red Wings selected Zadina with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. He made his debut in the 2018-19 season, appearing in nine games and scoring three goals.
Ahead of the 2023-24 season, Zadina and the Red Wings agreed to release him with two years remaining on his contract, at which point the Sharks signed him to a one-year deal.
Zadina has 41 goals and 50 assists for 91 points in 262 NHL games. The former top 10 draft pick appears to be looking to inquire about a new contract, and perhaps a third team would be where he gets the best of him.