Report: Jakub Vrana could be finished with Red Wings

As you're likely already well aware, forward Jakub Vrana has only suited up in two games with the Detroit Red Wings this season; they happened to be the first and second games of the 82 game schedule.

We were all then hit with the surprising news that due to an undisclosed personal matter he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, where he would remain for two months; Vrana has chosen to keep the issue that he was dealing with private. 

After his having been reinstated by the Program in mid-December, Vrana was soon assigned to the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins for a conditioning stint. However, fans were once again hit with a surprising bit of news when GM Steve Yzerman made the call to place Vrana on the waiver wire. 

He went unclaimed, and continues to play for the Griffins. After a slow start in his return to action, he's been heating up of late, having scored six goals in his last seven games and fueling speculation of a potential call up to the Red Wings as they prepare to try and make a run at the Wild Card postseason spot. 

However, if this report from analyst Nick Alberga is to be believed, Vrana apparently doesn't have a future in the Motor City. Alberga, formerly with Sportsnet and 590 The Fan, has stated that based on what he's hearing, Vrana has played his last game in the Winged Wheel. 

He writes: 

"For those waiting on a Jakub Vrana recall, don't hold your breath.

While anything's possible, I'm hearing it's highly likely he's played his final game with Detroit.

Likeliest scenarios: TRADE or OFFSEASON BUYOUT."

Don't shoot the messenger, we're just passing along what he has written. If that indeed comes to pass, it would certainly be an exceptionally disappointing end to a tenure in the Motor City that began with so much promise and justifiable excitement.