DETROIT - As a 19-year old at his first Detroit Red Wings training camp in 2015, Dylan Larkin "demanded" to be on the roster with his performance, coach Jeff Blashill said.

That's what the team needed to see from Filip Zadina. The No. 6 overall pick displayed his tremendous shot at times during camp and the preseason but didn't do enough to justify a spot on the season-opening roster.

So now he'll start the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he will learn, among other things. what it takes to create more space for himself on the ice

"It's a hard league, the American League, that's one thing we cautioned him on, don't think it's going to be easy," Blashill said. "But let's go down and figure out how much space you have and gain that confidence. Let's get adjusted to it and hopefully he fills it up down there and he's demanding that he gets called back up."

The Red Wings were able to send Zadina to the AHL instead of his junior club, Halifax, due to a loophole in the rules (he was on loan to the Quebec League team from his Czech club).

They can more closely monitor his progress and recall whenever they feel he's ready and they have a need. He might play for the Czech Republic at the World Junior Championship.

"I've been very impressed with his maturity," Blashill said. "I think he understands we're doing everything we can to put him in the best position to ultimately become a great player here.

"He didn't play so well that he was better than other guys by any stretch, but he showed signs of becoming a really good player."