Red Wings Wrap-Up: Vrana's return provides offensive spark

After suffering a shoulder injury upon touching down in Traverse City for training camp, Jakub Vrana was sidelined for six months before returning to the ice for the Detroit Red Wings in 2021-22.
But if Vrana's shortened campaign proved anything, it was that he was worth the wait.

The 26-year-old forward provided an instant offensive spark after making his season debut on March 8, recording 13 goals and six assists in just 26 games.
"I don't want to say it's a gift," Vrana said with a smile on March 22. "I just work on my shot and try to use it as much as I can."

Following his shoulder surgery, the forward admitted the time off the ice was mentally challenging.
"When you are a long time away from your game, from something you love, it's like you are starting to have little doubts in your mind," he said on March 8. "You got to stay strong mentally, you got to believe that you can come back and hold your confidence where it is."
Vrana said he sought advice from Tyler Bertuzzi, whose back injury forced him to miss 47 of Detroit's 56 games in the NHL's pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season.
"He was saying it's not easy," Vrana said about Bertuzzi's advice. "Anytime I was feeling down or something, I could always talk to anybody on the team. We have a great group here."

Propped by comfortability and confidence, Vrana finished the season with four multi-goal games, trying the career-high mark he set in 2019-20 as a member of the Washington Capitals.
"He's a true sniper," Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said on April 5. "It's nice to have that and he really seems to like playing at home. That's big for our team."
One of Vrana's highlights last season occurred at Little Caesars Arena on March 10 against the Minnesota Wild. With his two-goal performance in his 13th game with the Red Wings, Vrana required the fewest games in franchise history to reach the 10 goal-mark with Detroit, besting the previous record held by former forwards Steve Yzerman and Bill Lochead (15 games).

"We know from last year and from playing against him, he can score," Larkin said after the March 10 game. "He's catching his stride and he's been out for a long time, but he didn't look tentative tonight and scored a couple nice goals."
With four multi-goal games in his first 21 appearances this season, Vrana's scoring came in bunches. He had two tallies against the two-time defending Stanley Cup-champion Tampa Bay Lightning on April 19, tying former Red Wings forward Danny Grant for fewest games (32) in franchise history to reach the 20-goal plateau.
"I'm trying to create offense here as much as possible to give yourself and give the team a chance to win," Vrana said on April 19. "First things first, there are things we have to do to get to those chances."

Since being acquired in a trade with the Capitals on April 12, 2021, Vrana has made the most of his opportunities as a top-six forward. In 37 games for Detroit, he's racked up 21 goals and nine assists.
And while Vrana has yet to complete a full season in Hockeytown, his future with the Red Wings looks extremely promising.
"I'm really excited," Larkin said. "I'm sure he's excited as well. He's a guy that has been traded and wants to prove something for this team and in this league. I'm excited for him and hope he can keep it going next year."