Detroit Red Wings Need a Jakub Vrana Redemption Story

By this point, we’re all aware that Jakub Vrana is not with the Detroit Red Wings, but rather in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. 

You have to wonder what’s next in the Vrana saga. Will he remain in the AHL? Or will he get the call up to Detroit before the 2022-23 season concludes?

In my opinion, the Red Wings and Vrana need a redemption story. Let me explain, starting first with how we got here.

Vrana in Detroit: Timeline of Events

Since he arrived in Hockeytown, there has been a flurry of activity involving Vrana. The timeline below outlines the brief history of the forward’s stay in Detroit:

• Apr. 12, 2021 – Detroit acquires Vrana from the Washington Capitals
• May 8, 2021 – Vrana finishes the 2020-21 season with 11 points in 11 Red Wings games
• Sep. 25, 2021 – Vrana exits training camp after 10 minutes with a shoulder injury; has surgery
• Mar. 8, 2022 – Vrana returns to the lineup after missing 56 games
• Apr. 29, 2022 – Vrana finishes the 2021-22 campaign with 19 points in 26 games
• Oct. 15, 2022 – The Red Wings defeat the New Jersey Devils 5-2; Vrana has a goal and an assist
• Oct. 19, 2022 – Vrana enters the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program
• Dec. 16, 2022 – Vrana exits the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program; begins practicing
• Dec. 27, 2022 – The Red Wings send Vrana down to the AHL for a conditioning stint
• Jan. 3, 2023 – Detroit waives Vrana; he goes unclaimed and is assigned to the AHL

As you can see, it’s been a roller coaster tenure for Vrana. In 39 games, the Czech forward has recorded 32 points, including 22 goals. No other Red Wing has been able to match his goal-scoring prowess in that time.

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But on the flip side, Vrana has been limited to just 39 games over two-plus seasons with the Red Wings. Surely, the team would be in a better position if he was in the lineup more often, though you can’t fault Vrana for the time missed while he was in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Why the Red Wings & Vrana Need Each Other

From Detroit’s standpoint, the organization needs Vrana for his goal-scoring abilities. When he’s in the lineup, he’s their best pure scorer. 

Vrana also has a knack for capitalizing on defensive miscues and quickly creating scoring chances. This is especially valuable at five-on-five, where the Red Wings continue to struggle.

pumped…