Red Wings offer explanation for waiving Jakub Vrana

The Detroit Red Wings raised eyebrows everywhere yesterday afternoon 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. 

Following today's morning skate ahead of their matchup against the New Jersey Devils, Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde offered some additional insight into the puzzling decision. 

"Steve and I discuss everything together. Ultimately, it’s steve’s decision. Exactly why you need a manager-coach layer. but weighing everything ultimately that’s what we came up with," Lalonde explained. 

"Really don’t want to go into the details of it, especially with the situation, where Jakub is and his coming back. Want to be kind of private, personal to him," Lalonde added. "Ultimately we had to make a decision and that was the decision."

The roster spot vacated by the waiving opens the door for forward Robby Fabbri's return to action tonight, as he has missed the entire season while rehabbing his torn ACL that he suffered last March.