Jakub Vrana: The Capitals’ Youngest Superstar

Jakub Vrana is 23 years old, the youngest player on the Washington Capitals active roster. In the midst of his second full season, Vrana has shown to be the newest faces of the next generation of young guns. With his speed, flare, and work ethic on the ice, as well as his charm among the female Capitals fans off the ice, Vrana has made a home here in Washington and will likely be due for a raise this summer as a restricted free agent. 

The #13 overall draft pick 2014 NHL Draft, Vrana made his NHL debut in December 2016 scoring his first goal in Buffalo during a Capitals win over the Sabres. Vrana appeared in 21 games as a callup from Hershey during that 2016-17 Presdients’ Trophy season. With an early taste in NHL action, you could tell Vrana couldn’t wait to be a regular in the Capitals lineup during the infamous summer that saw the Capitals lose key forwards such as Justin Williams and Marcus Johnansson.

Vrana had a roller coaster first full season in the NHL. He was scratched for nine games and he scored 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points. He had an assist in Game 1 of the Capitals‘ first round series against the Blue Jackets but remained on the bench much of the game, playing in just 6:58. He was a healthy scratch in Game 2 and the Capitals dug themselves in a 2-0 series hole.

Vrana returned to action in Game 3 and wasn’t scratched since. He scored his first playoff goal in Game 2 of the second round against the Penguins to help the Capitals tie the series at one apiece heading to Pittsburgh.

He got an even bigger one in a pivitol Game 5. After the Capitals dropped Game 4 and Tom Wilson was suspended for three games, the Capitals needed a spark after a dismal second period that saw the Penguins take a 3-2 lead and outshoot the Capitals 18-5. Then-head coach Barry Trotz bumped V up to the second line. It led to Evgeny Kuznetsov tying the game and Vrana receiving a perfect pass from Alex Ovechkin to bury the puck past Matt Murray with 4:38 left in the game. Capital One Arena exploaded with euphoria and Vrana jumped into the arms of Ovechkin.

Vrana also had an impact in the Stanley Cup clincher with a breakaway goal to open up the scoring in Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Three playoff goals, three big moments.

These plays showed bursts of potential for the future of the Capitarls. The success also carried over into 2018-19. Even though Vrana was the most animated among the post Stanley Cup celebrations, there were no signs of hangovers from him.

This season, Vrana has elevated his game to a whole different level. He has a career-high 40 points (19 goals, 21 assists). His speed has continued to scare defenses and opposing goaltenders. His fan base has grown with more #13 sweaters at MedStar Capitals Iceplex and Capital One Arena.

Vrana recently had a two-goal game and a near hat trick the last time the Capitals played the Philadelphia Flyers, the opponents they’ll take on Wednesday night.

Vrana and the Capitals sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division thanks to an Islanders loss to the Flyers on Sunday. Philadelphia is their last stop on the three-game, Metropolitan Division road trip but the road doesn’t get easier. There’s 16 games until the playoffs and the Capitals will count on players like V down the stretch.