Former 6th overall pick decides to leave North America

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Cooper Godin
September 2, 2024 (9:49)

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A former 6th overall pick has decided to leave North America after parts of six seasons in the National Hockey League.

After parts of six seasons in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks, Filip Zadina's time in North America is over, at least for the next couple of years.

On Monday, HC Davos, who play in the highest division in Switzerland - National League, announced that they've agreed to terms on a two-year contract with Filip Zadina.

"Despite his young age, Filip brings a lot of experience and offensive qualities. He is still very young and has not yet reached his full potential. Filip will be one of seven foreign players in the squad. This will give the coaching staff more options to put the best team on the ice in every game." HC Davos General Manager Jan Alston said.

Zadina, 24, was linked to the Buffalo Sabres last week and a report from Czechia said that he had signed a professional tryout contract with them. However, in the hours after that report came out, Zadina's agent Darren Ferris said that was false and his client wasn't joining the Sabres. Ferris mentioned that he was working on a deal with another team, but didn't say if that was going to be in the National Hockey League or in Europe, but now, that has been answered by signing with HC Davos.

By playing for HC Davos, Zadina will get the opportunity to play in one of the most prestigious club tournaments in all of hockey, that being the Spengler Cup. HC Davos has hosted the tournament since its inception 96 years ago and this year's event will feature Team Canada; Zadina's former club - HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Extraliga); Karpat (Liiga); HC Fribourg-Gotteron (National League) and Straubing Tigers (DEL).

Last summer, Zadina and the Detroit Red Wings mutually agreed to terminate his contract and shortly after that was made official, he signed a one-year deal with the San Jose Sharks. In 72 games with the Sharks, Zadina registered 23 points (13 goals, ten assists), 18 penalty minutes and was a minus-44.

Do you think Filip Zadina will return to North America in 2026? Let us know what you think in the poll below.