ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals made headlines on Thursday, as they announced that they were bringing back Jakub Vrana on a professional tryout for training camp.
Vrana, who was the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, was a fan favorite in D.C. and showed flashes of promise over his seven seasons with Washington, but ultimately, inconsistency and frustration with his role led to a trade.
After being sent to the Detroit Red Wings, Vrana's career faced several obstacles, including a major shoulder injury and surgery followed by time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
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His journey over the last two seasons has seen him spend more time in the minors than in the NHL while also going through uncertainty with another trade and time on waivers.
So ultimately, this tryout will be a chance for Vrana to start over and prove he still has upside and a lot to bring to the table at the highest level. It also gives him a chance to work with head coach Spencer Carbery, who has a track record of helping younger players reach their potential.
For the Capitals, it's a great gamble. It gives the team another forward to evaluate at training camp at low risk; if Vrana impresses, he can sign a cheap deal to start anew in the District. If not, he can be released from his tryout.
Vrana's tryout will begin with camp, which kicks off in late September. The 28-year-old will be put through the same trials as his longtime teammates and D.C.'s rising prospects, including rigorous skate testing, drills, preseason games and more.
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As for his role, if he wants to make it back to the NHL, he will really have to compete to show what he can do, especially with there being too many cooks in the kitchen.
It's still unclear if T.J. Oshie is coming back this summer, but there are several new wingers joining the mix, including the likes of Andrew Mangiapane, Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh. Connor McMichael is also expected to shift to the wing with the team having an influx of centers, and Sonny Milano is also looking to keep his spot.
That being said, Vrana could potentailly compete for the role of the 13th forward at this point and try to work his way up, or he could try to earn a two-way deal that would have him playing with the Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears as he continues his road back to his potential.
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