The 23-year-old forward terminated his contract this year, which had two more years left in Detroit, and signed with San Jose for $1.1 million per year with the vision of restarting his career. In California, the former sixth draft pick got the opportunity to play on the first line with Tomáš Hertl and Mike Hoffman. The very first match showed that it could work.
Zadina had four shots on goal, and in the 18th minute, after a tap from Hertl’s skate from a turn, he beat Logan Thompson in the Golden Knights goal to tie the game at 1-1.
“There was a defender’s shot, it came to me from Tomas, I turned around and just tried to hit the goal. I was in the right place at the right time,” described Zadina. “I was very happy, but there is another side to the fact that we lost. We played excellently for almost two-thirds, but then we just caught up in vain.”
The debut of the Czech forward, who skated 16:21 minutes, was also appreciated by the home coach David Quinn. “A great evening. The goal will help him, but even more important is the effort he played with.”
The Sharks already traded players for draft picks last season and weakened even more in the summer with the departure of Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. They haven’t advanced to the playoffs for four years, and not much is expected of the rebuilding team this season either. All the more will the effort of San Jose to fight it.
“We must not get rid of pucks. We were sometimes too lazy. We need more shots on goal. If you don’t shoot and you don’t go to the goal, then you don’t get rebounds,” said Hertl, who always emphasized the importance of a good start to the season. The Sharks start with four home games, but after Vegas, the trio of Colorado, Carolina, and Boston await them. No point throws can be expected from this. But if the Czech attackers in the elite line do well, the Sharks might surprise them.
“(Zadina) is very motivated. He had a pretty good contract but gave it up because he knows he needs a fresh start. He also wants to show everyone why he was drafted high. He expects a lot from himself and I’m here to help him,” stated Hertl.
