PTO: [WSH] F Jakub Vrana will sign contract this week with Capitals

[Jersey Fan 12]

The risks are well-chronicled - time spent in the player assistance program and just one season in which he's played 82 games (2018-19). Coupled with the fact that he hasn't been an NHL regular since his lone 50+ point season with the Capitals in 2019-20.

On the plus side, he is relatively young at 28 and seemed to rediscover a scoring touch while playing with some physicality with the Blues AHL affiliate in Springfield.

Is his talent worth someone giving him a PTO?


Other invites:

Jakub Vrana - (free agent)
Grant Cruikshank - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Justin Nachbaur - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Garrett Roe - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Brennan Saulnier - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Matthew Strome - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Tyler Weiss - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Oasiz Wiesblatt - (ATO)
Ayodele Adeniye - (free agent)
Logan Day - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Brad Hunt - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Jayden Lee - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Nick Leivermann - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Jake Massie - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Jon McDonald - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Aaron Ness - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Dmitri Osipov - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Hudson Thornton - (signed with AHL Hershey)
Seth Eisele - (signed with ECHL South Carolina)

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[banks]

I always liked Vrana's game. If he's willing to take a PTO, then he'll have some teams willing to invite him. It's great to have someone at camp who has some scoring skill to play pre-season games. It gives the hopefuls someone to showcase their talent with, but doesn't burden your real stars/regulars.

But I'd bet he leaves NA for Europe/KHL. Just a guess.

 

[Zippy316]

I always thought he would be a fantastic PTO option for the Devils. His skill set is exactly what this team needs to compliment Hughes, Bratt, and Hischier in a scoring role if he can put it back together.

Devils also start the season in Czechia, so there’s an added bonus there for him if he makes the team.

Funny enough, I could see the Sabres as another legit option for similar reasons.

 

[blackjackmulligan]

Low risk guy who would be a good fit on the Pens.

 

[centipede2233]

I think his last 2 GM’s (Armstrong and yzerman) really hold his fate. Any GM’s thinking about Vrana PTO are definately going to be calling Armstrong and yzerman for character reference. Something tells me it’s not going to be glowing…

 

[Zirakzigil]

Low risk guy who would be a good fit on the Pens.

My thoughts too. Id take him on the Pens now and give him 1mil or around there. Forget the PTO, we can bury that contract if it doesnt work.

 

[KovalchukFistPump]

I always thought he would be a fantastic PTO option for the Devils. His skill set is exactly what this team needs to compliment Hughes, Bratt, and Hischier in a scoring role if he can put it back together.

Devils also start the season in Czechia, so there’s an added bonus there for him if he makes the team.

Funny enough, I could see the Sabres as another legit option for similar reasons.

Devils already signed Tatar for that type of spot. They're trying to get the rest of their lineup to be tougher to play against.

 

[BonMorrison]

Hurricanes should sign this guy, warts aside, they need scoring in their Top 9.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

I think his last 2 GM’s (Armstrong and yzerman) really hold his fate. Any GM’s thinking about Vrana PTO are definately going to be calling Armstrong and yzerman for character reference. Something tells me it’s not going to be glowing…

Yzerman was willing to retain half for a full year just to get Jake the f*** out of his organization. Not sure GMs even need to call to know his opinion lol.

That said, other GMs may not be as scared depending on the age and direction. For Detroit it was obvious with a locker room full of young, easily influenced kids. Somebody here mentioned Pittsburgh. That'd be different, as they don't have a whole lot of youth.

 

[centipede2233]

Yzerman was willing to retain half for a full year just to get Jake the f*** out of his organization. Not sure GMs even need to call to know his opinion lol.

That said, other GMs may not be as scared depending on the age and direction. For Detroit it was obvious with a locker room full of young, easily influenced kids. Somebody here mentioned Pittsburgh. That'd be different, as they don't have a whole lot of youth.

Yzerman couldn’t get Bertuzzi out fast enough to lol

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Yzerman couldn’t get Bertuzzi out fast enough to lol

Bertuzzi returned a 1st+ because Yzerman didn't want to pay him what he was looking for.

Vrana not remotely close to the same situation. Nobody would even take him off waivers.

 

[Reality Czech]

3 teams' trash is another team's treasure

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Low risk guy who would be a good fit on the Pens.

Can't see him working with Sullivan. Otherwise, yeah it'd make sense.

 

[DaveG]

Hurricanes should sign this guy, warts aside, they need scoring in their Top 9.

I can see a PTO but if this guys issues are still ongoing Rod would kill him... possibly literally.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Does he play LW? Could be a PTO candidate for the Leafs

 

[FinlandPanther]

I always thought he would be a fantastic PTO option for the Devils. His skill set is exactly what this team needs to compliment Hughes, Bratt, and Hischier in a scoring role if he can put it back together.

Devils also start the season in Czechia, so there’s an added bonus there for him if he makes the team.

Funny enough, I could see the Sabres as another legit option for similar reasons.

I think he’s pretty redundant on an already soft Devils team…

 

[Mike Liut]

Vrana is bad, real bad.

 

[SirPaste]

If you want a guy to give about 50% every night and float around the perimeter with no thought of back checking or even attempting to do anything defensively, he’s your guy

 

[GoBoltz56]

Jakub Vrana, KHL

 

[Reality Czech]

Does he play LW? Could be a PTO candidate for the Leafs

I'm not sure who would be less happy to see the other again, Berube or Vrana

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

Saw him pop up on Instagram and he does not look healthy, at all. He looks like he’s lost a ton of weight and not in a good way. Really sad, hope he can work through his demons.

 

[Jumptheshark]

The risks are well-chronicled - time spent in the player assistance program and just one season in which he's played 82 games (2018-19). Coupled with the fact that he hasn't been an NHL regular since his lone 50+ point season with the Capitals in 2019-20.

On the plus side, he is relatively young at 28 and seemed to rediscover a scoring touch while playing with some physicality with the Blues AHL affiliate in Springfield.

Is his talent worth someone giving him a PTO?

28 is not young. 25 and under is relatively young

 

[BKarchitect]

28 is not young. 25 and under is relatively young

Especially for a non-physical, one-dimensional sniper who has a history of not being able to stay on the ice. It’s pretty much over the hill.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

If you want a guy to give about 50% every night and float around the perimeter with no thought of back checking or even attempting to do anything defensively, he’s your guy

I liked Jake when he played here, he just had some very clear personal issues. My own speculation/belief is he didn't think his issues were issues and was pissed that Detroit made him go address them.

 

[Jared Dunn]

I liked Jake when he played here, he just had some very clear personal issues. My own speculation/belief is he didn't think his issues were issues and was pissed that Detroit made him go address them.

As recently as 15-20 years ago the team probably would have agreed tbh