Czech winger Jakub Vrána, 29, has spent the last decade in North America, mostly in the NHL, but rumors are circulating both in Sweden and in Czechia that Sweden will be the next stop for the free agent.

Prior to heading overseas in 2015, Vrána played for Linköping HC from age 15 to 19, starting with the club’s U-16 team and progressing to the SHL, where he recorded 34 points in 98 games as a teenager.

Swedish website HockeyNews.se claims to have directly asked Linköping HC GM Peter Jakobsson about Vrána.

“There is contact. We’ve had a good relationship over the years,” said Jakobsson.

But while admitting interest, the GM stopped short of saying that a deal is imminent.

“We know what qualities he possesses, but right now it is an uncertain situation,” said Jakobsson.

While he played in Linköping, Vrána was chosen 14th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. He established himself as a regular NHLer, recording 52 points in 69 games for Washington in 2019-20, and he regularly represented Czechia at the IIHF World Championships.

However, his career eventually became marred by injuries, declining play and a spell in the NHL’s Player Assistance Program. Over the last four seasons, Vrána has only played in 110 NHL games, recording 49 points. He was also unable to earn a spot on the Czech national team roster last spring, getting cut prior to the 2024 Worlds in Prague.

Overall, Vrána has 223 points in 406 NHL regular season games with the Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators. He also has eight points in 38 playoff games, all with Washington, and was part of the 2018 Stanley Cup championship team.

Photo © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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