Just prior to Tuesday’s game against the San Jose Sharks, news broke that Detroit Red Wings F Filip Zadina was going to be a healthy scratch.
Zadina, who was once selected by the Red Wings with the No. 6 overall pick, has not lived up to his billing and his struggles have continued during the 2021-22 season. In fact, in 32 games, he has just four goals and six assists.
Following the game, Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill spoke to the media and he explained that sometimes it does not hurt a player to “hit the reset button.”
From Detroit Free Press:
“I guess what happens when you want to insert somebody into the lineup you have to take somebody out,” Blashill said after the 6-2 win at Little Caesars Arena. ” And it’s honestly sometimes as simple as that.”
“What Filip wants to do is put himself so he’s not in the mix of players we’re talking about in who goes out,” Blashill said. “Ultimately if you don’t want to come out, put yourself in so you’re not in the mix. We don’t talk about that with Tyler Bertuzzi or Dylan Larkin because of what they’ve established themselves as players. I don’t think it hurts a guy once in a while to hit the reset button, kind of take some pressure off and then go get it. When Z comes back in the lineup, I’m hoping he can come back charging and playing really good hockey.”
Let’s hope this lights a fire under Zadina because it is time for him to step up and help the team.
