Jakub Vrana returns to Detroit Red Wings after 2 months in NHL player assistance program
Jakub Vrana wore a no-contact sweater and a smile as he practiced with the Detroit Red Wings for the first time after two months in the NHL/NHL Players Association player assistance program.
Vrana took repetitions Friday at Little Caesars Arena along with Dylan Larkin and Filip Hronek, both of whom had injury issues in the Wings' previous two games. Coach Derek Lalonde said both Larkin and Hronek may be available Saturday when the Wings host the Ottawa Senators, depending on how they feel Saturday morning. Hronek left Wednesday's game in the first period for concussion protocol, and Larkin appeared to injure his right hand Tuesday before missing Wednesday's game.
When Vrana will be able to play is uncertain. The NHLPA released a statement saying Vrana is available to play and has entered the follow-up care phase of its player assistance program.
The program is designed to assist players dealing with a range of issues relating to anything from mental health to substance abuse.
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Lalonde told the Free Press on Wednesday the team had expected any announcement any day.
While Vrana looked good, his availability to play is uncertain. He was placed in the program Oct. 19, two games into the season.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings' Jakub Vrana reinstated from NHL assistance program
