Healthy Vrana Excited by Possibilities Ahead for Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana is delighted to have his health. He’s also bubbling with excitement over the possibilities that exist for the team this season.

Pointing to the offseason additions of goalie Ville Husso, defensemen Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta and Robert Hagg and forwards David Perron, Andrew Copp and Dominik Kubalik, Vrana is of the belief that the Red Wings are legitimate contenders to be NHL postseason participants for the first time in seven seasons.

“I am very happy with the management that got the players,” Vrana told Czech website iSport.cz. “In my opinion, we have strengthened enough, so there is a better chance for the playoffs. We will definitely go all out.”

Also talked with Jakub Vrana. He said he's feeling good and able to do full training this offseason after having shoulder surgery last season.

He said his shoulder had bothered him for two years before that. He's looking forward to healthy start with Red Wings.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) August 24, 2022

As far as his own health is concerned, Vrana is equally positive in his assessment. He missed much of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery during training camp. But the shoulder is in tip top condition with training camp for the 2022-23 campaign less than a month away.

“I have exercises for it, but it’s cool, I feel good,” Vrana said of his reconstructed shoulder. “So I believe it’s all on the right track.”

Going through his personal ordeal of 2021-22, Vrana is admitting that it was draining on his psyche.

“I was injured halfway through the season, so it was difficult,” Vrana said. “Mainly mentally. I was out for a long time, which no player wants. Everyone wants to be on the ice.”

Helping New Red Wings Forward Kubalik Czech In

With countryman Kubalik coming to the Red Wings, Detroit teammates Vrana and fellow Czech internationals Filip Hronek and Filip Zadina are serving as a welcoming committe. They’re schooling Kubalik on the ins and outs of life in the Motor City.

Since entering the NHL in 2016-17, @DetroitRedWings Jakub Vrana ranks third in 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes (1.25; minimum 150 games).

Only two players ahead of him:
– Auston Matthews (1.66)
– Alex Ovechkin (1.28)#LGRW https://t.co/udeGZdd3yK

— Anna Dua (@AnnaNoelleDua) August 16, 2022

“There were three of us at the Red Wings and Domča (Kubalík) was added,” Vrana said. “So it will be great, the memories will come back. We are very much looking forward to him.”

In the meantime, they are helping Kubalik make himself at home in Detroit.

“We mainly talked about housing,” Vrana said of his conversations with Kubalik. “I also told him that we have a really wonderful facility, everyone is very nice.”

Red Wings On The Rise

Vrana is confident that the Red Wings will be a significantly better team. If things fall into place and the younger players take another step forward, he doesn’t see pursuit of the Stanley Cup playoffs being out of the question.

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“We have a younger team, some guys have only been in the NHL for two years,” Vrana said. “It’s about gaining experience. But the potential in the team is huge.

“Especially young guys like Moritz Seider or Lucas Raymond have a great future ahead of them. Overall, I feel very good about our team.”