.The Detroit Red Wings announced today that they have re-signed restricted free agent forward Jakub Vrana to a three-year contract worth $15.75 million. This is the first contract in Detroit for Vrana which carries a salary-cap hit of $5.25 million.
DET & Jakub Vrana settle with a 3x$5.25M extension
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 10, 2021
Jakub Vrana Re-Signed by the Detroit Red Wings
Vrana was originally drafted 13th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. He spent the better part of two seasons with the AHL Hershey Bears before becoming a regular with the Capitals for the 2017/2018 season. Vrana’s up-and-down rookie season would culminate with a Stanley Cup – a run where he had eight points in 23 playoff games. The following season, the young Czech forward was given the opportunity to play a larger role. He rewarded his team with a 24-goal season which would later earn him a two-year contract worth $6,700,000. With negotiations behind him, Vrana continued his ascent as a premier left-winger, reaching career highs in goals (25), assists (27) and points (52) in just 69 games. He followed it up with 25 points in 39 games prior to being traded out of Washington.
In what was the most surprising deal of the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline, the Red Wings acquired Vrana along with Richard Panik, a first-round pick and a second-round pick in exchange for Anthony Mantha. Vrana had success in the 11 games he played with his new team following the trade. He had eight goals and four assists including a four-goal game against the Dallas Stars on April 22. Over the last two seasons, Vrana ranks fifth in even-strength goals behind Auston Matthews, Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid and Kyle Connor.
What This Means for the Future
It’s no surprise that Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman locked up Vrana. While it may have been a bold decision to move on from one of his brightest young stars in Mantha, he acquired one in the process. Now, he’s doubled down on it. There isn’t anyone like Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom in Detroit to surround the 25-year-old Vrana. He will be relied on to consistently produce as one of the go-to options on an up-and-coming Red Wings team.
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