We finally now know why the Red Wings waived Jakub Vrana

In case you missed it earlier today, the Detroit Red Wings announced that they have placed forward Jakub Vrana on waivers.

Check it out courtesy of NHL insider Chris Johnston:

Vrana had recently had his AHL conditioning stint extended by the Red Wings after returning from a leave of absence in which he underwent rehabilitation in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. 

The 26 year old forward was acquired by the Red Wings in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Capitals in 2020 that saw Anthony Mantha head to D.C. He's a former 20+ goal scorer and 50+ point scorer at the NHL level and clearly still has some skill despite a couple down seasons in Detroit. He was selected 13th overall by the Capitals back in 2014 and won a Stanley Cup with the team in 2018.

As for WHY he's on waivers... well... Johnston reports on TSN's 'Insider Trading' segment today that it's a simple cap move by Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman.

From Johnston:

"A source close to Vrana told me that he's fit and ready to play now. He's ready to resume his career. The reason that this is happening at this point in time is that the Red Wings are facing a squeeze with their roster. They have Robby Fabbri returning from injury, Tyler Bertuzzi isn't too far off. But I think this is someone who will get a long list from other teams for a waiver claim. 

- Chris Johnston

Wow... so they're just dumping him? Certainly they could have found a trade partner?

In any case, Vrana put up an impressive 13 goals in just 26 games with the Red Wings last season and had a one and two pints in two games to start the season before taking his leave of absence. I can only speculate as to what happened that transpired this waiver dump, but... well... this just seems off. It's not often that you see a team dump a valuable player in his prime, much less one who the team has invested so much in. Vrana is in the second year of a three year deal that pays him $5.25 million per season. More than that though, the Red Wings have invested the assets from the Mantha trade and then the time and energy to support Vrana this season, as well. Needless to say, it seems like the team feels it's done more than it's worth to keep him around. He's now available to any team in the NHL for the low, low cost of a simple waiver claim. If there's anyone out there willing to pay Vrana his $5.25 million salary both this season and next season, then he's all theirs.

Without knowing anything about what's happening in Vrana's personal life, I can't imagine that he passes through waivers successfully. The kid is simply too talented and has too much potential to pass through waivers unclaimed. Stay tuned.