Where Does Vrana Fit Into Capitals' Plans? Forward Ready For Opportunity As He Makes Return To D.C.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — He's only been on the ice for a day with his new team, but it's been a meaningful homecoming for Washington Capitals forward Jakub Vrana.

The 28-year-old is coming into Capitals training camp on a professional tryout, which he will try to turn into a contract with the team that originally drafted him.

"Just looking for an opportunity," he declared after getting off the ice for the first time at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.

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It hasn't been an easy pasta couple of years for Vrana, who had been traded from D.C. to Detroit back in 2021. After a hot start to his tenure with the Red Wings, Vrana suffered a shoulder injury and had to undergo surgery. After returning, he struggled to recapture his consistency, and to open the 2022-23 season, entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Since then, Vrana has spent more of his time down in the American Hockey League with the Detroit and the St. Louis Blues organizations.

Now, though, the Czech winger is ready for a fresh start. But looking at the roster and influx of forwards, where does he fit in?

Vrana will face some heavy competition at training camp as he'll face the challenge of standing out among the likes of new forward additions like Taylor Raddysh and up-and-coming Hershey players like Riley Sutter and Bogdan Trineyev.

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However, if he can stand out — and he's shown that he can over the course of his still-young career — he could capture a spot as the 13th or 14th forward and go from there. A spot in the lineup right off the bat isn't realistic given the team's busy offseason.

At informal skates, Vrana displayed his speed and stickhandling, and those two assets will be the most vital as he faces a long road back to the NHL. Nothing's guaranteed, though, and if he fails to make the team out of camp, he could sign an AHL contract or get an NHL deal elsewhere, as was the case with Sonny Milano before Washington signed him.

At the end of the day, Vrana's looking forward to his second chance to show what he can do and hopes that it's in the city he called home for years.

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