The Detroit Red Wings raised eyebrows everywhere last month when it was announced that forward Jakub Vrana, who recently completed nearly two months in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and is currently on a conditioning stint with the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, was placed on waivers.
However, he was not claimed by any of the other 31 NHL teams, and remains with the Griffins while he works to get his game back on track. And while it took some time for him to get reacclimated to playing professional hockey, the good news is that he seems to have found his scoring touch once again.
In the meantime, there are fans who are justifiably wondering why he's not been called back up to play with the Red Wings.
And according to the man himself, he's not exactly sure why either, saying those kinds of decisions are out of his hands.
“That’s the thing, I don’t think I know anything,” Vrana explained while speaking to Max Bultman of The Athletic. “I don’t have any source — I (am not) even looking for those, because it’s pointless. I mean, nobody knows anything. People can speculate each day, and people are doing that, and that’s just how it is. But at the end of the day, there’s only a few people that are running these things, and they make those decisions. And you can speculate all day long, but then at the end of the day, you’re not making those (decisions).”
He then cleared the air about how he feels about the team, reiterating that he's happy in the organization and hopes to have a future in the Motor City.
"To be honest with you, I’m a proud Red Wing,” Vrana said. “I love to have that logo on my chest. I wish I could play for them for the rest of my life — I mean that’s what I want, obviously. Everybody does. (But) that’s looking way too ahead of us right now. I’m just focusing from day to day, and to be (a) part of the team up there again, and the rest will come. I tell you, like I can’t control whatever happens outside, with what people’s decisions are. I’m just a player, and everybody knows that I want to play there.”
Until then, Vrana will continue plying his trade with the Griffins.
“I’m working hard, trying to help this team,” Vrana explained. “Right now we have really two important games against Manitoba, and I think this team has big potential. We want to be in (the) playoffs here, and we’re doing the best (to get there), and I let the other things handle (themselves). I’m just focusing on every day, coming here, have fun and just keep winning games.”
