Vrana To Make Long-Awaited NHL Return In Homecoming vs. Capitals

After months away from the NHL following time in the Player Assistance Program, Jakub Vrana will be back in the lineup for the Detroit Red Wings, and fittingly, it'll be against his former team in the Washington Capitals.

Vrana will draw into the mix for the Red Wings on Tuesday as they continue their playoff push in D.C., marking his homecoming and first-ever appearance against his former club.

“Obviously I spent a couple years over here, so I got some flashbacks for sure going to the rink and stepping on the ice here," Vrana said following Monday's practice at Capital One Arena.

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The Czech winger, who went 13th overall to Washington in the 2014 NHL Draft, spent five years with the organization before ongoing frustration led to a blockbuster trade that sent him to Detroit in exchange for Anthony Mantha.

Vrana has played in 39 games for the Red Wings, dishing 22 goals. However, a shoulder injury would hold him out fo the majority of 2021-22, and after two games to open this season, he was away from the team while rehabilitating in the PA program. He was reinstated on Dec. 16, but was subsequently placed on waivers and sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins for extended conditioning. After finding his game after some time in the AHL, he was called back up on Feb. 14.