Jakub Vrana hits rock bottom…

It’s been hard to follow what’s been going on between the Detroit Red Wings and forward Jakub Vrana lately… Earlier this month, the Wings stunned everyone when they placed Vrana on waivers as the winger was already with their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids on a two-week conditioning stint.

It looks like Vrana’s future in Hockey Town is in jeopardy, but more with Wednesday’s update, the once coveted forward might have hit rock bottom.

It was reported that Vrana was a healthy scratch in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 5-2 loss to the Iowa Wild on Wednesday.

The Griffins explained the decision to sit Vrana in the AHL Veteran Rule in a pregame video. Vrana is a minus-six and has one point, a primary assist, in six games with the Griffins so far.

The Griffins are back in action later tonight against the Wild. They play three games in four days starting on the 13th. Vrana was scratched again on Friday, for a second contest in a row. 

Vrana’s name has, since he was sent down to the minors and placed on wavers, been mentioned in trade circles ahead of the March 3rd deadline. According to Cap Friendly, Vrana carries a $5.25-million cap hit through 2023-24. Money is tight across the league with all but seven of the 32 clubs have $3.5 million or less in cap space this season.

However, he could benefit from a change of scenery, especially following this tough blow in this demotion.

After he was sidelined for most of 2021-22 with a shoulder injury and only played two games this season before entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, rejoining the Wings on Dec. 16.

In 323 NHL career games with the Washington Capitals and the Red Wings, Vrana has tallied 98 goals and 198 points.

What will happen next for Vrana?