Detroit Red Wings’ Vrana Trying to Make the Best of a Bad Situation

The Detroit Red Wings needed goal-scoring and younger talent to fill out their roster, and they did just that by acquiring a kid from the Washington Capitals. Now, they wonder what the next month is going to be like with him out of the main roster lineup.

The Red Wings acquired Jakub Vrana, Richard Panik, a 2021 first-round pick (Sebastien Cossa), and a 2022 second-round pick (Dmitri Buchelnikov) from the Capitals in exchange for forward Anthony Mantha.

Over the first few months, this trade looked really lopsided in favor of the Red Wings. At this point, can we say it is a wash?

Where does Detroit Red Wings Jakub Vrana go from here?

Vrana has played 39 games with the Detroit Red Wings, scoring 22 goals and 10 assists for 32 points, including six game-winning goals, and a 21.6 shooting percentage. In the current 2022-23 season, Vrana has played two games, with one goal and one assist for two points.

Since that second game, Vrana was entered into the NHL/ NHLPA player assistance program on October 19 and reinstated on December 16.

Whatever the reason he was entered into the program is still unknown, but it could be what led to the Detroit Red Wings and general manager Steve Yzerman making one of the more questionable moves since Yzerman’s return to Detroit.

On Tuesday, the Red Wings placed Vrana on waivers to the shock of most Red Wings fans. Why would Vrana, one of Detroit’s best players and potential 40-goal scorer be put out there to be claimed for nothing?

He was never claimed, surprisingly, and was sent to the Red Wings AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. This whole story has more questions than answers. Why Vrana? Why now? Is this due to the assistance program? Is there something between Vrana and Yzerman? Is Vrana cancer in the locker room? Will he be back?

So many questions surround this move, and we may never get the full, honest reason why. Vrana was actually with Grand Rapids for a conditioning stint before being placed on waivers, now it looks to be a longer stay for the winger. Vrana is scoreless in three games with the Griffins.

What makes this not make sense is the fact Vrana was a top-line winger who was a point producer, a legit goal scorer, and a main weapon on the power play.

While the top line now consists of Dylan Larkin, David Perron, and Michael Rasmussen, one has to wonder if Vrana even has a place on this team as of right now. Being in Grand Rapids is not the place for him to be but, again, we do not know the entire story.

What becomes of this is anyone’s guess. The only thing Vrana can do is play the best hockey he can right now and wait for a call-up or a trade.