Quoting: DeadWingsv2
I personally think that it is one of the biggest misconceptions in hockey that being a great/good player on a bad team, somehow makes that player less. If anything, when you factor in what they're able to do with limited support around them, and less favorable matchups or an ability of the coach to put them on the ice in more favorable conditions, it makes them more valuable.
This post, right here, is everything.
Zadina's most common Cs were Namestnikov (13% of the time), and then Larkin (just shy of 13% of the time). Imagine a full season with real 1C (yes, Larkin is a 1C, not necessarily an elite 1C, but he is a top-line C). Zadina's best performance came with Larkin as his C (the numbers for Namestnikov are REALLY bad, dragging it all down). Larkin's best numbers came with Zadina and Fabbri as the wingers. Imagine what the top line(s) could look like next year just using the existing roster:
Vrana/Larkin/Zadina
Bert/Veleno or Rass/Fabbri (I'd like to see Veleno here, though his future is a 3C).
In DET's low event hockey style, a winger is not going to be able to drive play, it must come from the Cs and Ds (not quite the left wing lock, but close). Until the team is deeper down the middle, Zadina's play-driving abilities are going to get washed away with the low event style partnered with a poor D (though, D help is coming too).
Zadina currently isn't a top-line winger on a top team, but he is a top 6 winger on a top team. You can't drive play when you are the only play driver on a line.