Detroit Red Wings
Former Red Wings Scorer Talks About His Hockey Future
Vrana says Sweden his likely destination
You never forget your first love, and when it comes to hockey, that’s how passionate former Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana is about Linköping.
“I have a different relationship with Linköping than with other teams,” Vrana told Czech website Sport.cz. “They gave me my first chance in professional hockey, and that team stayed in my heart.
“There is a big chance that I will go there. I have received an offer.”
At the same time, business is business. That isn’t the only contract offer being dangled in front of Vrana’s eyes.
“It’s difficult,” he admitted. “I have also received offers from clubs with golden dreams.”
Jakub Vrana tells @puckempire that he will likely sign with Linkoping HC in Sweden, however he has 2-3 more offers on the table in Europe that he is mulling over.
Nothing official, but again, Sweden looks likely.
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) August 4, 2025
Perennial Czech Extraliga contenders Sparta Prague are also known to have made a contract offer to the former Red Wings player.
“On paper, they look strong,” Vrana said. “That doesn’t mean they will win, but they have a better chance. They have signed the players they wanted.”
Vrana anticipates that he’ll be choosing his next team very soon. European clubs are already in training camp. Some have even played preseason games.
“I am in a situation where I have to make a decision,” Vrana said. “And I can only make that decision once.”
Former Red Wings Player Was Hoping For NHL Offer
Vrana was with the Red Wings from 2021-23. He scored 22 goals in 42 games for Detroit. The 29-year-old Czech split last season between the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators.
His stated hope was that he’d get another NHL opportunity for next season. However, at this stage, that seems unlikely.
Det händer även positiva saker i Linköping.
Vi hör från många håll att drömvärvningen nu är på väg att bli av.
Jakub Vrana detaljer från att bli helt klar, enligt uppgifter till 🐝 https://t.co/p6f04XbUQZ— Johan Svensson (@MrMadhawk) August 2, 2025
Before going to the NHL, Vrana, a 2014 first-round draft pick of the Capitals, played in Sweden for Linköping, both as a junior and a pro. He’s always been drawn back to the area.
Still, Linköping sporting director Peter Jakobsson continues to insist that there’s no deal in place yet between his team and Vrana.
“Jakub Vrana is not ready for the LHC as far as I know and I hope I am the first to know that,” Jakobsson told Swedish website Corren.
