W Jakub Vrana (2014, 13th, WSH)

[Babula]

scored his 8th goal at U-18 WC semifinal against Canada. That is a new czech record for the number of goals in this tournament.

 

[Future]

Looked really good today

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

He looked great today, really smart offensively, great skill & speed. And the defensive game was good too.

 

[R S]

This kid had a major up and down year, by the sounds of things, but was absolutely dynamite from what I saw of the U18's. Is that enough to push him into the 1st round? I sure would hope so. Kid can play.

 

[Tiranis]

This kid had a major up and down year, by the sounds of things, but was absolutely dynamite from what I saw of the U18's. Is that enough to push him into the 1st round? I sure would hope so. Kid can play.

I hope not. Hoping the Canucks can pick him up with their 36th overall.

 

[Anthony Mauro]

I hope not. Hoping the Canucks can pick him up with their 36th overall.

There's a good chance his tourney sealed a selection from a team in the first round.

 

[puckfan13]

Where do people think Vrana will go?

He likes to do flybys and his compete level is on and off. However, his shot and release are pro-level and could beat NHL goalies now. Do you gamble on being able to teach him the other parts of his game? It's clear at every single level he's played at that he has an ability to score goals, shoot the puck and get his shot off that is very rare, but some of the other parts of his game may drive coaches crazy and might make him a Europe-only player. Vrana is definitely and opportunist and quick strike artist, he moves around the ice with the purpose to score goals, so sometimes that makes him look, and effectively does makes him, disinterested in other parts of the game at times.

Does this translate to the NHL? I think I like Pastrnak more, but like I said, Vrana's goal-scoring ability is rare for any draft, particularly outside the top 15. I'm not sure he will be the type of player you can dump on any team and expect him to be a first-line player and produce consistently, I think he will have to go to the right team that is a really good fit to bring the most out of his talents, sort of like Vrbata in Phoenix, or else he could end up looking quite ineffective on many nights.

 

[Mirinho]

Vrana was better than 2 years older players onU20 WCH ... and he was absolutely dominant among players who were the same age on U18 WCH

I can't remember such a good czech forward prospect during WCH.

of course if he will be drafted by team with lots of young skilled forwards (Tampa, STL etc.) it will be harder for him to develope and play soon in NHL ... I'd say team like NJD (especialy with Elias and Jagr mentorship) will be ideal for him

 

[KRM]

Vrana was better than 2 years older players onU20 WCH ... and he was absolutely dominant among players who were the same age on U18 WCH

I can't remember such a good czech forward prospect during WCH.

of course if he will be drafted by team with lots of young skilled forwards (Tampa, STL etc.) it will be harder for him to develope and play soon in NHL ... I'd say team like NJD (especialy with Elias and Jagr mentorship) will be ideal for him

Vrana had a terrible wjc u20?

 

[Mirinho]

Vrana had a terrible wjc u20?

nope, he was one of best in czech team ...

 

[Jackw5]

nope, he was one of best in czech team ...

i think you could say Vrana and Pastrnak were 1a and 1b both played decent

 

[Anthony Mauro]

i think you could say Vrana and Pastrnak were 1a and 1b both played decent

Pastrnak was worlds different at the U20 than U18. He was much more involved and dangerous, which is backwards you would think, and directly related to his injury.

Vrana showed his intelligence by being able to play a mature, responsible game at the U20. Very interesting to see that he also was able to dominate the U18 with pure skill. Most draft eligibles can't flaunt the pedigree Vrana has.

 

[AFTeRMaTH*]

Vrana - Giroux - Voracek

 

[Babula]

Vrana - Tatar - Jurco

 

[Caged Great]

This is the type of guy that Detroit drafts, waits 4 years and then has a star player come out of it.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Last Word on Sports and Top Shelf Prospects ranks Vrana as the #22 prospect for the 2014 draft. Here is the scouting report.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/04/23/2014-nhl-draft-profile-22-jakub-vrana/

 

[Weide]

Last Word on Sports and Top Shelf Prospects ranks Vrana as the #22 prospect for the 2014 draft. Here is the scouting report.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/04/23/2014-nhl-draft-profile-22-jakub-vrana/

Vrana is a natural centre

Nope

 

[Babula]

Vrana is a natural winger. I have no idea, where lastwordonsports.com get the info about Vrana is a natural centre.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

 

[hans26]

http://www.hokej.cz/cz/mladez/dlouhe-pohovory-snazil-jsem-se-byt-vtipny-rika-jakub-vrana-po-testech-v-torontu-se-tesi-na-draft/?1=rw

According to this article, he had interviews with 29 teams at NHL Combine.

 

[WTFMAN99]

This guy seems like a DET or NJD pick to me.

 

[Caged Great]

This is the type of guy made for the Detroit Red Wings. When I watch him, I see another Tatar, Jurco, Nyquist etc.

 

[Aaron Vickers]

The shifty winger releases the proverbial “bullet†from his stick night in and night out, and not only from his forehand. No, Vrana can toss darts from both sides of his blade. Although being an offensive go-to player, Vrana doesn’t ignore his defensive responsibilities, sticking to his assignments admirably.

A bit more on Vrana over here: http://futureconsiderations.ca/fcs-draft-countdown-25-21/

 

[CapNMac]

Update: Jakub Vrána was selected by the Washington Capitals with the 1-13 pick in the 2014 draft.

 

[Debrincat93]

Can't believe ppl on the caps board were whining about this pick. Kid is a pure stud