Jakub Vrana returning to former team on professional tryout

Just over four years after leaving the organization via trade, Jakub Vrana is returning to Washington. Vrana, who is currently an unrestricted free agent, has agreed to join the Capitals on a professional tryout contract next month.

Vrana, 28, was selected 13th overall by the Washington Capitals in 2014. He went on to spend parts of five seasons with them between 2016-17 and 2020-21 before he was dealt to the Detroit Red Wings for Anthony Mantha trade.

The Prague, Czechia native helped the Capitals win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history in 2018, recording eight points in 23 games along the way.

In the years that followed, Vrana spent time with the Detroit Red Wings and most recently the St. Louis Blues, who acquired him in March 2023 just months after exiting the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program.

Last season, Vrana appeared in 21 games in the NHL with the Blues, registering six points (two goals, four assists), eight penalty minutes and was a minus-five. He also had 36 points in 42 games for St. Louis' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.

The Washington Capitals made some big additions to their forward group this summer via trade by adding Pierre-Luc Dubois and Andrew Mangiapane from the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames, respectively. If Vrana is able to earn a spot on Washington's opening night roster, he'll likely play a depth role, most likely on the third line and his contract wouldn't be much more than a one-year deal at league minimum, which is $775,000 for the 2024-25 season.