Jakub Vrana (Caps Outsider)
The Caps have sent Zach Sanford to the Hershey Bears and have recalled Jakub Vrana and Paul Carey. Carey was recently brought up after Lars Eller and TJ Oshie were sidelined with injuries.
Sanford was the surprise out of camp this year. He was drafted 61st overall in 2013 and spent the last two years at Boston College. While at Boston College, Sanford registered 63 points in 79 games. So far this season he has only registered an assist in 19 games. He has come very close to a goal, but just can`t seem to find the back of the net. Sanford did not need to clear waivers to go to Hershey.
This will be Vrana’s first experience at the NHL level. The 20-year old was drafted 13th overall in 2014. Vrana played in 3 games for the Hershey Bears in 2014-2015 registering five assists. In addition, he registered six points in 10 playoff games that season.
Last season, Vrana missed much of the AHL season with a wrist injury that required surgery. Despite this, he had 34 points playing in 36 games. In the playoffs he continued his success getting 14 points in 21 games. So far this season, Vrana has 16 points in 18 games.
Vrana was an early cut from camp this year. In addition, he was a healthy scratch for a few games early in the Bears season.
Either Carey or Vrana will play against the Islanders as Oshie is still out. I do not expect Vrana to make his NHL debut Thursday, as he is not as familiar with how Barry Trotz would like him to play compared to Carey. I do see Vrana making his debut soon, perhaps as early as Monday when the Caps play the Sabres, after he has some practices under his belt.
