The Washington Capitals are continuing to gear up for the start of training camp next week with informal skates, and one constant so far has been Jakub Vrana.
Vrana, who originally joined the Capitals as a first-round pick in 2014, is back in D.C. on a professional tryout for training camp. He’s been skating with the team for weeks now, and as more regulars make their way to the ice to prepare for the upcoming season, Vrana’s remained and continues to put in the work.
The 28-year-old is coming off a difficult past few seasons, which included shoulder surgery, time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, inconsistency in his game and more time spent in the AHL while being placed on waivers. Returning to his roots in the District offers him more than just a second chance, but an opportunity to make a deeper impact.
So far, Vrana’s been impressing in his ice time ahead of camp, showcasing his speed and shot while working to show that he can be a contributor and keep up with the likes of several NHLers.
That said, is it possible he could end up in D.C. to open the season?
Looking at the roster, there aren’t that many vacant spots this season, with Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Mangiapane, Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh all joining the mix up front along with Vrana on a PTO.
However, Vrana could very well win a spot as an extra forward at the NHL level and go from there.
Unlike rookies and rising prospects, he would be a good candidate to play the role of an extra given his experience and the fact that he doesn’t necessarily need more playing time to further develop at this point in his career since he’s familiar with the ebbs and flows of the NHL.
Vrana also has the talent and upside to be a good player to draw into the lineup and compete for ice time, and having him at their disposal would be beneficial for the Capitals going forward, especially if Spencer Carbery helps him unlock his full potential and rediscover his game.
When he’s playing at his highest level, Vrana’s a strong goal scorer who can log power-play minutes and provide secondary scoring.
At the end of the day, it’ll be a long process for Vrana, who faces fierce competition and has a long way to go. However, if he can get back to the basics and works hard, it could be a steal for D.C. And of course, if he can’t strike a deal in Washington, he could sign with the AHL’s Hershey Bears or perhaps find a fresh start with another NHL team.
Training camp opens on Sept. 19.
