Tag: Jakub Vrana

Posted on

The Detroit Red Wings need Jakub Vrana to be better on defense

Last season saw Detroit Red Wings left wings (LW) Jakub Vrana score 13 goals, 6 assists 19 points in just 26 games played. Vrana was coming off of shoulder surgery which lead to the forward missing most of the season. Offense has never been an issue for Vrana, defense that is another story entirely. A couple days into training camp the Red Wings are asking Vrana to be more attentive when the other team has the puck.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JULY 07: Head coach Derek Lalonde of the Detroit Red Wings during Round One of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on July 07, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Detroit Red Wings head coach, Derek Lalonde said he met with Jakub Vrana and explained that he knew Vrana was a gifted goal scorer in order to take the next step in his development Lalonde challenged Vrana to become a complete hockey player.

When the Detroit Red Wings hit the ice on the first day of training camp it was Lalonde who skated with Vrana and showed him where he needs to be and what is expected from him when the Red Wings do not have the puck.

DETROIT, MI – MARCH 30: Jakub Vrana (15) of the Detroit Red Wings shoots the puck against the New York Rangers during the second period of an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on March 30, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. The Rangers defeated Detroit 5-4 in O.T. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

It is up to Jakub Vrana to take the next step. two-way players are common place in the NHL. They add more value to the team and the the player. The Red Wings do not need Vrana to play at a high level on defense, they need him to be responsible and a trust worth teammate.

When the Columbus Blue Jackets traded for Patrik Laine, Laine was a bit of a train-wreck in the defensive end. The Blue Jackets began to explain that he could be a great goal scorer and dependable on defense. Laine did the things the team asked and is now more dependable on defense.

So the team, head coach can ask, explain, show, but it is up to the player to either grasp ahold of what is being asked or not. Preseason will be a good gauge for Vrana, if he enjoys the ice time and would like to keep or increase playing minutes he will take the advise and begin to show defensively.

Posted on

Examining if Jakub Vrana should be a Detroit Red Wing long term

Take away a couple of factors. Namely two draft pick and another player and the Detroit Red Wings essentially traded Jakub Vrana  for Anthony Mantha, April 12, 2021. No matter how long the two players are with their current teams they will always be linked. Both player have made immediate impacts for the teams that acquired them the Washington Capitals (Mantha) and Red  Wings (Vrana.) Both players have scored multiple goals for their respective teams.

Anthony Mantha scored goals in each of his first four games for Washington. While in Detroit, Jakub Vrana scored a goal in his first game and then erupted for four goals against the Dallas Stars. The last Red Wings player to score four goals in a game, you got it Anthony Mantha.

DETROIT, MI – APRIL 17: Jakub Vrana #15 of the Detroit Red Wings skates up ice against the Chicago Blackhawks during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on April 17, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Chicago defeated Detroit 4-0.(Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

Jakub Vrana has made a quick impression with the Red Wings organization. Vrana has always been known as a pure goals scorer, a sniper if you will. But a logjam of players in Washington kept Vrana from ice time and from showing his true potential.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, knew he could not trade Mantha and get no production back. Draft picks are nice and all, but the reality is even the best draft picks need time to develop.

It is not that Jakub Vrana can score goals that makes him an interesting acquisition. Vrana has shown himself to be a solid player at both ends of the ice as well as fight for loose pucks in the corners.

Speed? Jakub Vrana has speed. That is another facet is Vrana’s game and one that any coach in any sport will tell you can not be learned. Vrana during his time with the Capitals was a player who fans and media always said “if he could just have more ice time.” In other words many including inside Washington’s organization  believed they had a special player.

DETROIT, MI – APRIL 15: Jakub Vrana #15 of the Detroit Red Wings shoots the puck during pre game warm-ups before an NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Little Caesars Arena on April 15, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

Now with more ice time in Detroit, Vrana in a short period of time is showing that he can indeed be a special player. So, the answer to if Jakub Vrana should be a Detroit Red Wing long term is yes.