Only several Washington Capitals players remain from the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning team. Winger Jakub Vrana is one of those talents. He is aiming to rejoin his old club and reunite with his old Washington teammates. The 28-year-old signed a PTO with the Capitals after spending the last few campaigns with the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues. Some of his teammates from his first time in D.C. include Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, and John Carlson (Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie are also included). If Vrana impresses the coaching and managerial staff, he may find himself a new contract with the club.
On Media Day of training camp, the discussion topics included Vrana’s return to the team and how respected he is by his old teammates.
Old Capitals Teammates Talk About Vrana’s Return
Tom Wilson and John Carlson were among those asked about Jakub Vrana being back with the Capitals. Wilson said, “He’s a guy that just lights up the room when he walks in. It feels like old times having him around. You go through a special thing together and win a championship, and you have a bond for life, and just seeing him walk in the first day was a really cool feeling…”
Wilson also added that he thinks Vrana still has game. “He’s one of the best skaters out there and he’s got a ton of skill. He’s had some ups and downs in his career, like a lot of us, but he seems like he’s in a good spot right now, and I want him to do well. I’m excited to have him around. It’s been fun to just hang out with him, get him back in a Caps uniform, and Caps T-shirt, and hang out at the rink and stuff.”
John Carlson is another Capital happy to have Vrana back at training camp. The defender said, “…He’s one of my favorite young guys from over the years and he looks great. He looks fantastic out there…he’s been chomping at the bit to get another chance, and I think he’s ready to make the most of it.”
Spencer Carbery on Vrana in Training Camp
Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery was not here the last time Jakub Vrana was on the Capitals. He knows what he wants to see out of the winger during this training camp and in the preseason. “…The thing that I want to see is the compete level, the work level. This is a great opportunity for you, but I want to see through practices, through scrimmages. You’re gonna need to show myself, the rest of the coaches, management, how bad that you want this.” Carbery went on to say that he wants to see Vrana competing on every puck, and doing all of the little things when he does not have the puck.
Looking Back on Vrana’s First Stint in Washington
Vrana was drafted by the Capitals with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He played in parts of five campaigns for Washington, where he registered the following stats:
- 2016-17: three goals and three assists for six points in 21 games
- 2017-18: 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points in 73 games
- 2018-19: 24 goals and 23 assists for 47 points in 82 games
- 2019-20: 25 goals and 27 assists for 52 points in 69 games
- 2020-21: 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 39 games
Vrana was on the 2018 Cup team. In fact, the 2017-18 season was his first full NHL campaign with the team. During that postseason run, Vrana netted three goals and provided five assists for eight points in 23 games.
The Capitals dealt Vrana to the Detroit Red Wings on April 12, 2021. He was included along with Richard Panik, a 2021 first-round pick, and a 2022 second-round pick in exchange for forward Anthony Mantha. Vrana played parts of a few campaigns with Detroit, before being traded to the St. Louis Blues. He played in 21 games last season for the Blues, where he tallied two goals and four assists for six points.
Vrana has training camp and the preseason to make an impression with Carbery, GM Chris Patrick, and the rest of the organization’s staff. Time will tell if he earns the opportunity to suit up for the franchise again in the 2024-25 season.
