Elliotte Friedman is reporting that Detroit Red Wings forward Filip Zadina has cleared waivers once again, this time for the purpose of having his contract mutually terminated. The former sixth-overall pick is now an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team he chooses. The news was a forgone conclusion as Zadina cleared waivers just a few days ago and was unlikely to be claimed this time around.
For Zadina, it means he gets the fresh start he has been asking for since he requested a trade just before the NHL entry draft. For Detroit, it’s a brutal case of missing on a top-10 draft pick during a rebuild, not exactly ideal for a team that has built a good foundation of prospects and future NHLers. One benefit to the Red Wings is that they are no longer on the hook for the $4.56MM that Zadina was owed over the next two seasons.
One team that could check in on Zadina is the Vancouver Canucks, but Rick Dhaliwal of Chek Television tweeted that the Canucks haven’t reached out to Zadina’s representatives at this time, however, it is early. Zadina will come at a very low cap number which should interest many of the cash-strapped clubs around the league.
In Other Minor Transactions:
- Friedman is also reporting that Detroit Red Wings winger Andy Andreoff also cleared waivers this morning and he too will have his contract mutually terminated. Andreoff had a year left on his contract at a cap hit of $762.5K and at 32 years of age will likely finish his career outside of the NHL. Andreoff has accumulated 14 goals and 13 assists in 188 NHL games in parts of eight NHL seasons but has had a solid AHL career with 254 points in 403 games. CBS Sports is reporting that Andreoff will sign in the KHL with Sibir Novosibirsk.
- The Henderson Silver Knights have announced that they’ve signed nine-year NHL veteran Adam Cracknell to a one-year AHL contract. The 37-year-old forward is entering his 18th season of professional hockey after spending last season as captain of the Tucson Roadrunners where he posted AHL career highs with 21 goals and 32 assists in 64 games. A veteran of 210 NHL games, Cracknell posted 21 goals and 22 assists in a career that included stops with seven different NHL teams.
- The Rochester Americans have announced that they’ve signed center Graham Slaggert to a one-year AHL contract. The 24-year-old spent last season with the Toronto Marlies where he posted six goals and four assists in 63 games. It was his first professional season after he spent four years in the NCAA with the University of Notre Dame. In 143 career college games, Slaggert posted 27 goals and 42 assists and was also the captain of his club in his final season of eligibility.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Hawks took a shot on Zadina.
Or he goes overseas. By becoming a FA he has more options available to him.
I actually think Zadina will bust, but…I always believe in giving high pedigree players one last cheap shot.
Pens should sign Zadina and let him compete with Alex Nylander for the RW spot on Geno’s line, allowing Rust to play on the third line.
He’s a head case. Walks away from nearly 5 million guaranteed because he thinks he’s better than he actually is.
Really amusing take dd84. lol. Obviously Zedina isn’t as concerned with money as he is with a second fresh opportunity to be the best he can be, playing the game he loves. The 5 million contract he originally thought he wanted ended up being in the way of a trade for the fresh start that he now wants.
Yzerman offered Zedina that contract based on Zadina’s demonstrated hockey skills. In your opinion then it follows that Yzerman, the Wings staff and Zadina have overestimated Zadina and you have not. Fair enough time will tell on that.
In the meanwhile… Zedina is happy, San Jose is happy, and Yzerman was able to add cap space so he is happy. AND the contract money was never earned or paid out. Everyones a winner.