Jakub Vrana is taking his talents to Broadway.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the news.
Vrana recorded 11 points (7g, 4a) in 26 games during his second stint with the Capitals this season. His last game for Washington came against the St. Louis Blues on February 27 and was his first game in nearly two months.
Despite being supplanted in the lineup by call-up Ethen Frank, Vrana was one of the most productive players in the NHL offensively despite his limited appearances. At the time of his claim, Vrana sits 17th in the NHL in goals per 60, per Stat Muse, trailing only Alex Ovechkin on the Capitals (2.34). Vrana had a shooting percentage of 25 percent, scoring on seven of his 28 shots on net.
The Capitals initially brought the 29-year-old Czech back to the team for training camp on a professional tryout. Vrana impressed enough in four preseason games to earn a one-year, $775k contract.
“I want to be part of this team. I love this team and it’s great to be back here for the camp and try my best to earn a spot on the team,” Vrana said before signing. “It means a lot, man. This team means a lot to me.”
With the Predators, Vrana will reunite with general manager Barry Trotz. Trotz was Vrana’s head coach when the two won a Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018. V scored 8 points (3g, 5a) in 23 games during that magical playoff run, including a goal in the Caps’ championship-clinching Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
While the two had success together during the Cup run, Vrana and Trotz had, at times, a cantankerous relationship. Trotz once publicly called out Vrana in the media, saying that the winger was in “participation mode” instead of “involvement mode” and criticizing his play away from the puck.
The Predators’ acquisition of Vrana comes as they are 16 points out of the second and final wild card spot in the Western Conference. The team is in sell mode and the forward could help the team remain competitive down the stretch as they make deals before the trade deadline on Friday.
Vrana will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
