Red Wings' Vrana placed in player assistance program

Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana will be unavailable indefinitely after being placed in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, the league announced Wednesday.

Vrana will continue to be paid during his absence and can return to the Red Wings once cleared by program administrators.

He appeared in Detroit's first two games of the 2022-23 season but missed Monday's clash against the Los Angeles Kings and practice the next day. Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde had said Vrana's absence was for personal reasons.

Detroit acquired Vrana from the Washington Capitals at the 2021 trade deadline. The 26-year-old has been limited to only 39 games with the club due to injury but has made a strong impact with 32 points.

Vrana was the 13th overall pick in 2014, and he helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018.

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