The Daily: Why Caps Gave Vrana a PTO; Buchelnikov Update

The Jakub Vrana return to Washington, even on a PTO, makes perfect sense from his perspective. He put up noteworthy offensive numbers and displayed a dynamic presence before the Capitals traded him to Detroit.

Washington Hockey Now’s Nathan Moser called the Vrana PTO a “good move” by first-year GM Chris Patrick. Moser believes Vrana’s skill set fit wells with Washington’s revamped offensive group.

“The Capitals are getting a player who was fast when he was there the first time,” Moser wrote.  “His speed was built for the current NHL game. It is one of his best attributes, and one of the big reasons why he was crucial to the Stanley Cup-winning team in 2018. During that championship postseason run, Vrana scored three goals and (added) five assists for eight points in 23 games.”

But Vrana is far from a lock to get a contract. Much has happened since the Capitals traded him to Detroit. The Red Wings were quick to move on from him after he went through the NHL / NHL Players Assistance Program. He scored 12 goals in 41 games over two seasons. He is 28. It’s hard to know what his floor or ceiling really are.

“If things go well,” Moser writes,  “Maybe he is in the lineup for the Capitals or he starts 2024-25 off in the AHL with the Hershey Bears. There are multiple ways this could play out. When camp arrives, fans can see how he gels in with the rest of the team and then go from there.”

Red Wings in Case You Missed It

Red Wings prospects Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (Norway) and Marco Kasper (Austria) will be participating Aug. 29-Sept. 1 in Olympic qualifying tournaments. Bob Duff has the details in his Red Wings notebook.

Detroit’s annual NHL Prospect tournament has been reduced to a two-game series against the Dallas Stars prospects in Traverse City. The games will be Sept. 14 (6 p.m.) and Sept. 15 (2:30) at Centre Ice Arena.

Former NHLer Chris Pronger talked recently about Steve Yzerman‘s role in a torn ACL he suffered 23 years ago.

Red Wings Offseason

Red Wings prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov had a slick shootout goal in a KHL preseason game.

In Dmitri Buchelnikov’s(2nd round’22) preseason debut he didn’t pick up any points. (He had a couple 3rd assists) but he had this awesome shootout move. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/sW8zhoAOLh

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) August 15, 2024

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Andrew Fantuccio writes about what the NHL Network got right and got wrong in rating David Pastrnak against all other wingers. Boston Bruins.

Colorado: The Avalanche hired long-time league office employee Andrew Wilson as an assistant general manager. Colorado Avalanche.

Philadelphia: Sam Carchidi looks at how Matvei Michkov and his teammates stack up against opponents. Philadelphia Flyers.

San Jose: Sheng Peng offers an insightful behind-the-paywall story about why Joe Pavelski was such a strong leader during his NHL career. You can read Peng’s story by taking advantage of our limited time offer of a yearly subscription for only $10. You can read paywall stories on any Hockey Now website. Plus, you can navigate without adds. To subscribe, click here. San Jose Sharks.