Insider Explains the Reason Detroit Waived Jakub Vrana

Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings shocked the NHL scene on Tuesday when the team placed forward Jakub Vrana on waivers. Vrana recently went through the NHL's Player Assistance Program and is currently on an AHL conditioning stint, where he has zero points in three games.

While there has clearly been some behind-the-scenes activity with Vrana, waiving him and potentially losing him for nothing carries serious risk. In 323 NHL games, Vrana has recorded 189 points (98g-91a), and according to NaturalStatTrick, from '19-20 through '21-22 Vrana ranked 2nd in 5v5 goals per 60 minutes behind only Auston Matthews. He clearly possesses NHL talent and would contribute if given the chance.

So what gives?

Insider Chris Johnston believes that Detroit simply needs to create room for the returning forwards Robby Fabbri and later Tyler Bertuzzi:

Vrana does earn north of $5 million per season and is the Red Wings' third highest-paid forward. With 32 points in 39 games for Detroit (a 67-point pace over 82), his cap-hit could be considered a bit rich but not by much.

Detroit acquired Vrana, a 2021 first-round pick (G Sebastian Cossa) and a 2022 second-rounder (Dmitri Buchelnikov) from Washington in exchange for Anthony Mantha. Why they are risking losing Vrana for nothing - even with Johnston's reasoning - is a real headscratcher.

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