from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,

Jakub Vrana scored 21 goals in his first 37 games as a Red Wing player over two seasons. That’s a pace of 45.9 goals per an 82-game season.

The Red Wings aren’t expecting that many goals. They would be happy if Vrana was a consistent goal scorer in the 25-plus range every season. His release is quick enough to be a premium scorer and he can launch his rocket in heavy traffic.

“He’s as good a goal-scorer as I’ve been around,” former Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “And I’ve been around some great, great players.

The new NHL coach will undoubtedly change Detroit’s line combinations. All we know for sure is that Vrana will be in the top six and likely will be on the top power play unit.

Vrana has been with the team for parts of two seasons, but fans and teammates don’t know yet what it’s like to have him for a full season. There was plenty of discussion among fans last season about whether the season would have been different had he been healthy all year.

“Just the way he can turn a nothing play into something,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said. “… He’s a true sniper. It’s nice to have that. He seems to really like playing at home and that’s big for our team….He wants to prove something for his team and league.”

more