Notes: Zadina excited to make his NHL debut with Wings Sunday

DETROIT-- The moment that Filip Zadina has been waiting for since he was a little boy learning to skate is almost here.
Zadina will make his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks eight months after being selected sixth overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

"I'm so happy. It's my dream since I was a little kid," Zadina said after practicing Saturday with the Wings at Little Caesars Arena in front of a crowd of season ticket holders. "Tomorrow it's going to happen, my first NHL game, so I'm just going to have fun and see what's going to happen."

Zadina's mother, Andrea, has been visiting him since the beginning of the month and his father, Marek, was due to arrive in Detroit shortly after the end of practice.
"It's going to be a huge day for our family," Zadina said. "I'm so glad they can be here with me and enjoy the day with me."
During practice, Zadina skated on a line with Luke Glendening and Thomas Vanek.

Vanek was Buffalo's first-round pick, fifth overall, in the 2003 draft so he has unique insight into what Zadina is going through right now.
"A kid like him, there's a lot of pressure because he's a high draft pick," Vanek said. "He's supposed to be a goal-scorer, this team needs goals. You can't think too big, but I got the same mentality. You want to score, help out. To me it feels like he has the same type of mentality. The more I can talk to him, calm him down, not focus on his nerves and everything, definitely help him out."
Vanek, who is from Austria, speaks fluent Czech so he can certainly communicate with the young forward.
"Every single player on this team is a very smart player, is a pretty good player, so it's a huge advantage for me to play with those players," Zadina said. "They're going to help me. I know that. It's a huge thing for me that I can play with a guy who speaks my language. It's awesome."
Wings coach Jeff Blashill made it clear to Zadina what his role is, even playing with an offensively gifted player like Vanek.
"He's been through what Zadina's going through," Blashill said. "He was a high pick, he's been in similar situations so I think he can help. The other thing is he's got high, high hockey IQ and ultimately he's probably the best passer on our team. And as I just spoke to Filip, his job is to shoot when he gets those passes, not to look to go back to him and things like that. It doesn't mean he can't make a play but I expect him to shoot pucks tomorrow."
The advantage of Zadina and Vanek playing with Glendening is Glendening can win face-offs and get them the puck while providing a defensive presence.
Zadina comes to Detroit knowing that he will play in no more than nine games so as not to burn a year of his entry-level contract, which removes some of the pressure.
"I have to impress them for next season, so I know I'm going back after the nine games, but it means nothing for me, I'm just going here to have fun and just play my hockey, play my best and we'll see if they like me they will probably keep me the next season," Zadina said. "It's about having fun right now. It's nine games. I'm kind of nervous about it. The game tomorrow is my first NHL game. I guess every single player is nervous a little bit but I'm not under pressure. Just kind of nervous. Just go and have fun."
Zadina was in the midst of a seven-game point streak in Grand Rapids, is third on the Griffins in goals with 15 and fourth in points with 31.
"I've grown a lot, I guess," Zadina said. "Grand Rapids helped me a lot during the regular season when I've been there, through the offensive zone, neutral zone, defensive zone, all over the ice. Huge thanks for them, they made me a better player than I was at the beginning of the season."
During practice, Zadina was on a power-play unit with Tyler Bertuzzi, Gustav Nyquist, Michael Rasmussen and Mike Green.
"Part of this is seeing where he's at, how ready is he for some of these things," Blashill said. "For the long term for this organization, where is he at? By long term, I mean next year. So putting him on the power play to start gives him an opportunity to showcase what I think one of his best attributes are. He's played different spots over in GR. He's played on that flank, he's played on the opposite flank where he's more on his forehand side, he's played in the middle. Where I've seen him be his best is shooting the one-timers on that side so I'm hoping he can shoot a few in the net."

BOWEY JOINS WINGS: Also newly joining the Wings for practice Saturday was defenseman Madison Bowey, the player the Wings got in a trade with the Washington Capitals for Nick Jensen Friday.

"A lot of mixed emotions, this is the first trade of my career, so it's definitely sad to leave some of the guys back there in Washington, it's a great group of guys, obviously winning a Stanley Cup, you have a lot of great memories," Bowey said. "For me, this is a great opportunity to play some games here and figure out my game and find a way in the NHL. I'm excited to get it going."
The Wings want to give Bowey a little time to get acclimated before throwing him into the lineup so he will not play Sunday against the Sharks.
"Part of that for sure is trying to put guys in position to be successful," Blashill said. "Today's practice wasn't a real structural practice -- not that Monday's will be either -- but it at least gives us some time to go through some of the systematic stuff. There'll be some things that are different and it's hard when you're a player and you're doing something totally different than you've done but to play with your true instincts.
"We had a good meeting with him today, he met with (assistant coach) Doug Houda today as well so lots going on in his head and let's give him a few days to watch us play a little bit and get a better feel for how we play. He said he watched last night and it was definitely some differences from how they play in Washington and at least that gives him a better feel for it."
With the Capitals, Bowey had not played since Feb. 7 so he's itching to get up to speed and get into a game.
"I'm ready to go whenever, it's going to take a little bit to get used to the new systems and all the new players and how things work around here," Bowey said. "That just takes a few days to set myself in and feel comfortable with all the guys, but I'm a gamer, I'm all excited and ready to go."

Bowey's first year was Green's last year in Washington so he knows him a little and his locker is next to Green's in the dressing room.
For a young player like the 23-year-old Bowey, Blashill said the challenge is finding an area to be better than other players to establish a niche in the league.
Blashill told Bowey that when the Wings look at teams like Boston and Montreal, who are currently in playoff spots, they have been far more stingy defensively than the Wings, allowing 157 and 177 goals, respectively, compared to the Wings' 207 allowed.
"So if he can help us from a defensive standpoint, that's to me your first step," Blashill said. "Most players have to come in, they got to play great defense, great defense earns trust, trust means more minutes and then your offense comes. So I want to make sure that he's grounded that way, We need to become a better defensive team and part of that is the individual pieces we have. I said to him the same thing I said to Nick Jensen six years ago, use your skating as a defensive weapon. Everybody always thinks of it as an offensive weapon when in reality it can be just as powerful a defensive weapon. He's a good skater, big body, let's close fast on people and use your skating as a defensive weapon."
Bowey knew the Wings had interest in him during his draft year in 2013, when the Capitals took him in the second round, 53rd overall.
Now he's excited for a fresh start in Detroit.
"It feels great," Bowey said. "I was talking to my agent and my dad and I kind of feel I've been drafted again. A team that really wants me, wants to develop me and work with me to turn me into a great NHL player. For me it's just really relieving and I very happy to be in the position that I'm in and I know I'm going to make the most of this opportunity and I can't wait to get started here."
RASMUSSEN STAYING, WILL PLAY CENTER: In recent weeks, speculation began to mount that the Red Wings were considering sending rookie forward Rasmussen back to his junior team, the WHL's Tri-City Americans.
Though he passed the threshold of playing in 10 NHL games, which kicked in the first year of his three-year entry level deal, the Wings reasoned if they sent him back to Tri-City, Rasmussen would be eligible for the Grand Rapids Griffins playoff run when the Americans season was over.
Rasmussen seemed to flourish and get a jolt of confidence when he was sent to Grand Rapids for a three-game conditioning stint about a month ago, but since he's only 19, AHL rules prohibit a player from playing in the league until he is 20.
But if he was sent back to juniors, he would be allowed to play for the Griffins at the conclusion of Tri-City's season.
After Friday's 3-2 loss to Minnesota, Blashill announced to the media in his post-game press conference that Rasmussen was remaining with the Red Wings.
"Our plan is to keep Ras here the rest of the year," Blashill said. "I think there's a lot that goes into it. We had long discussions about what we're going to do and there's tons that go into it. In the end we felt like this was the best thing for his development.
"Part of that is the unknown. You can't just say he's going to go on a long playoff run in GR. You don't know when he's going to get there, you don't know how long GR is going to play. Those are big factors. If we knew it was going to be three rounds of playoffs in the American League, you'd probably do it. Part of that is the rule as it is, we can't send him directly to the American League. We got to send him to major junior.
"I watched him dominate major junior last year. I'm not saying it wouldn't have been good for him but that's part of the decision process that goes into it. I think there's still growth opportunities here."
Blashill wants Rasmussen to play center, his natural position, which is a logical step since the Wings are beginning to set their sights on next year's roster.
"My plan is to use him more at center over the next 20-some games to see if he ready to be a center in '19," Blashill said. "Is he ready to be in those spots? That's what we talked about as a group. So let's see if he can do some of that. It's not going to be every night. So, we'll see."
Rasmussen was his usual stoic self when he was asked about staying put in Detroit.
He indicated being sent back to Tri-City wasn't really something he dwelled upon, but he did have a brief conversation with general manager Ken Holland about the possibility.
"(I'm) just trying to focus on doing my best and playing and helping the team, so it really wasn't on my mind too much," Rasmussen said. "It's definitely been up and down (year) for sure. I've got to have a big summer and continue to grow my game and all that, so it's been up and down."
He's looking forward to playing center, yet his main focus is just helping his team.
"I think the more games you play at center or any position, you get more comfortable, so I think I was more comfortable last game (Minnesota) and just keep going and finish the last 20 (games) strong," Rasmussen said, "but wherever the team needs me, wherever I can help, so I definitely like playing center, I like playing wing and I am obviously playing with some good players."