Former 6th overall pick Filip Zadina set to become UFA on Monday

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
June 29, 2024 (9:59 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The National Hockey League's deadline for teams to issue qualifying offers to restricted free agents is set for 5 pm ET on Sunday and it looks like a former high draft pick won't receive one.

In a post on X on Friday evening, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now shared that the Sharks won't be issuing a qualifying offer to 2018 sixth overall pick Filip Zadina.

In addition to Filip Zadina, another player the Sharks aren't expected to qualify is former Boston Bruins second rounder Jack Studnicka, who joined San Jose in a trade back in December from Vancouver.

"Looks like the Sharks are not qualifying Zadina & Studnicka" Peng said.

Zadina, 24, saw his time with the Detroit Red Wings organization come to an end last summer after five seasons with them. The Red Wings decided to terminate the remaining two years of Zadina's contract in early July last year, making him an unrestricted free agent. It didn't take Zadina too long to find a new home as just three days later, he signed a one-year contract worth $1.1 million with the San Jose Sharks.

The Pardubice, Czechia native set a new career high in goals during the 2023-24 campaign and took strides forward in his development. In 72 games, he put up 23 points (13 goals, ten assists), 18 penalty minutes and was a minus-44.

While Zadina may not end up being a legit first line scoring threat like many expected him to be when he was drafted, he's still a solid middle-six option on a team that's rebuilding right now. He should have a number of teams interested in his services on Monday afternoon.