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Former Sixth Overall Pick Signs Multi-Year Deal Overseas: Likely Done in the NHL Forever

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 7:45 PM ET

Filip Zadina was once the No. 6 overall pick in the NHL Draft, but after leaving the league this past season, he's remained in Europe on a two-year deal.

In the 2018 NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings landed Czech winger Filip Zadina with the No. 6 overall pick, with many believing that he had the physical tools and the talent to be a star at the NHL level.

Unfortunately, he was never able to score more than 25 points in a season with Detroit, leaving after four seasons to ink a one-year deal with San Jose in 2023/24 when he scored 13 goals and 23 points in 72 games played.

Many believed he still had the talent to be a solid NHL winger, but this past season he shocked the world by signing with Davos HC in the National League in Switzerland, tallying 21 goals and 34 points in 43 games played.

Now, he's set to remain with the team on a multi-year deal, despite the thought that after a strong season, there could be interest for him in the NHL as he is still just 25-years of age and still clearly has the talent to compete at a high level.

When asked about the deal, Zadina opened up on why returning to Davos was the move for him, and whether or not he'll pursue a return to the NHL at some point in the near future.

'In Davos I felt that they took me as a valid player, they gave me a role and I filled it.
If it comes, it comes. If not, of course I won't hang my head. I was there for a few years, I tried it, it was great.'

This isn't a player that's flunked out of the NHL due to a lack of talent, but rather a lack of a defined role and belief in him from a team, and simply put, that's what he's getting in Switzerland, so don't expect to see him back in the NHL anytime soon.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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