Latest Jakub Vrana update is not good

The Detroit Red Wings raised eyebrows everywhere last week 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. But the unfortunate news is that it seems as though it's taking him a while to get re-acclimated to playing professional hockey. 

In the six games he's appeared in with the Griffins, Vrana has yet to light the lamp while also registering one assist along with a less than stellar -6 plus/minus rating. 

According to head coach Derek Lalonde, it's going to take some time for their scoring forward to get his game back to normal.

“I just think he’s trying to build his game,” Lalonde said. “I got the question the other night, ‘You’re not scoring goals, wouldn’t it be great to have Vrana?’ Of course it would on potential, and right now all it is is potential. I just think it’s going to take some time. This young man has been out of hockey for almost two full months. Hopefully, he’ll continue to build on some things and get his game in order and contribute to that potential for us.”

Vrana and the Griffins are next in action on Wednesday night agains the Iowa Wild, the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.