“Things were not going well in Detroit,” Vrana said. “So I got a call (Friday morning) that I’m coming here, and I was really happy about that. I look at it as a new opportunity. And so far I’ve been here, everybody’s great. All the guys have been really nice to me, and I’m looking forward to going to the games and battle with them and do some things.”...
“To be honest with you, I came back (from the player assistance program) and conditioning-wise I was ready,” Vrana said. “I did some testing – I had better numbers than in the training camp.
“I was ready to play. Unfortunately, I’m just a player and I don’t make the decisions who’s gonna play, who’s not. So the decision was to send me down, put me on waivers. I accepted. There was no other way, right?”...
“I can’t tell you I was happy about it,” he said. “I accepted because it’s just how it is. Sometimes you’re gonna accept things even though you don’t like them. But yeah, I didn’t agree with how it went.”
Jim Thomas of the St. Lous Post-Dispatch has more on Vrana.
This is one of those cases where it'd be interesting to hear each party's takes on the situation, but I know we never will.
As the saying goes: "There's three sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth."
Yeah what an odd situation. The other thing that's stuck out to me is the absolute radio silence from the entire team. Have there been any questions from the diggers or any comments from any players since he went into the program? I understand they can't really comment on the program itself, but I can't recall seeing even a generic "we're hoping everything is going well and look forward to having him back with the team."
Seems like everything he's said has been positive. Loves to play hockey and just wants a chance to get back out there. Just straight ex-communicado from the Red Wings though. Damn shame. Hopefully he finds a groove and continues on with a successful career.
re V: just be solid both ways
lesson learned during his stint in G.R. a complete 200 footer now.
wings management will regret the day they let him go..
"...I just felt like the relationship it wasnt there anymore.
It's his side only, but this feels like retaliation.
Yzerman made similar comments, basically saying it just wasnt going to work out, ship sailed, etc. They obviously think Vrana screwed up a time or many, and hes for sure saying he wasnt treated fairly. Who knows.
BYE FELICIA!
Vrana came here and screwed the GM two years in a row, with issues that are 100% on him, whatever the 2nd one may be, it wasn't a bad luck puck, or practice incident, it was on him.
So you go back and look at the rest of his career, and guess what, Vrana was NOT Mr. Character/Mr. Compete/Mr. Lunch pail. Despite the talent he clearly has, he's been called out and scratched by numerous pro coaches, doesnt work enough, hes in that participation mode were there comments coaches made on record, in public, directly calling him out. And trust me, 95% of criticism and true thought on a player is held within the locker room walls, it only comes out when frustration or messages need to be delivered, at least 3 prominent coaches on record have called the dude out.
Is that what Yzerman wants? Did you hear him talk about the work ethic and character in the players he's signed, listen to his Matta comments. Set Yzerman aside, is Vrana's character what you want on this team to shepherd the young developing players, teaching them how to be a pro???
Personally hope the dude uses this to turn it around, life first and foremost and is successful in the NHL. As far as the Wings though, he was never going to be resigned, he's a 85ft player, I would much rather see every minute of his ice and specialty teams time go to Zadina or Berggren, we bought him out, and frankly, Bye Felicia.
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