Oilers Have Another Chance to Bring in Former Top Prospect
The Edmonton Oilers have another chance to add a former top prospect to their roster.
Earlier this week, the Detroit Red Wings placed Filip Zadina on waivers, where he would go unclaimed. Given Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland and Zadina's history together, I had wondered if the club would claim him. That of course did not come to fruition, but now it appears that the Oilers will have another opportunity to bring him in.
Related: Oilers' 2023 Off-Season Guide
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Red Wings are expected to place Zadina on waivers again today (July 6). This time around, it will be in preparation for terminating his contract.
Given the fact that Zadina already cleared waivers this week, it is highly doubtful that the Oilers, or any other team for that matter, will claim him. Yet, once he clears, he will immediately become an unrestricted free agent (UFA). This is when Edmonton could be calling.
When noting that Zadina is a former top prospect who Holland drafted, this could be an avenue worth exploring. Although the 2018 sixth-overall pick has struggled to come close to reaching his full potential, perhaps a change of scenery will help improve his chances of doing so.
The Oilers could also be on the hunt for another bottom-six forward, as they missed out on Matt Nieto during the first day of free agency. Zadina could be a nice option for him, especially if he can finally take that next step in his development in 2023-24.
If brought in on a cheap one-year deal, Zadina could be a player worth taking a chance. Let's see if Edmonton ends up making a push for him from here.