With the New York Islanders missing out on Alex DeBrincat, there's still a need for a top-six left winger. Taking a chance on Filip Zadina could have paid off, but he's now a San Jose Shark.

When the Detroit Red Wings placed 23-year-old left winger Filip Zadina on waivers last week for the purpose of contract termination, he became an interesting option for many teams.

Zadina, the former sixth overall pick by Detroit in 2018, has struggled to finish off chances at the NHL level and ultimately wanted a fresh start elsewhere, sacrificing $4.56 million. 

With the New York Islanders missing out on Alex DeBrincat, officially, on Sunday night, there's still a need for a top-six left winger. While Zadina hasn't proven he can fill that role yet, given the Islanders' lack of cap space, a reclamation project may be something they would have considered.

But for the likely the same price as Oliver Wahlstrom's qualifying offer (which he has until July 15th at 5 PM ET to sign), Zadina has inked a one-year deal worth $1.1 million with the San Jose Sharks.

The expectation that Zadina could come to Long Island and click alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal would be a dramatic one but also an intriguing possibility. Even if Zadina doesn't fit in the Islanders' top six, he's still an option, especially if Zach Parise hangs up the skates. 

"Zadina has yet to find his finishing touch at the NHL level. But he's a net-positive, two-way player who is young enough to still develop and find his place as a middle-six scorer," The Hockey News' Rachel Doerrie said. "He's a low-risk signing, and the Islanders need cheap players who have a chance to break out."

Check out Doerrie's Tik Tok breakdown of the Zadina situation:

Zadina signing a one-year deal with San Jose means that he will be a free agent come the end of the 2023-24 season. The Czech forward is betting on himself, and if he has a strong season, could be in for a hefty pay raise. 

That being said, he could also struggle on a weak Sharks team. And if the Islanders feel that Zadina could be a fit -- depending on how this season goes for Wahlstrom, Simon Holmstrom, and other forwards that the club is looking to see take that next step -- they certainly can circle back on him next summer.