GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It was a little more than two weeks ago, on a Wednesday, when Ryan Barnes decided to do an unannounced drop-in on one of his clients.



The Grand Rapids Griffins were preparing to host the San Antonio Rampage, and Barnes swung through to spend a day with the Red Wings’ minor league affiliate, hoping to assuage any of the disappointment he was anticipating from the 19-year-old Filip Zadina.



Zadina, the highly touted, skilled winger from the Czech Republic drafted sixth overall by the Red Wings this past June, had recently been passed over for a call-up to the big club. Tyler Bertuzzi was suspended, Anthony Mantha was out with a fractured hand and Barnes expected Zadina to be hoping his number would be called. The 28-year-old Wade Megan was summoned instead, fulfilling the Red Wings’ need for depth down the middle and for a player who could help kill penalties.



But Barnes, who helps represent Zadina along with primary...