Capitals: Jakub Vrana is their impact player so far in 2020
After earning a raise in a bridge deal over the summer, Washington Capitals left winger Jakub Vrana has shown he’s worth every penny and more.
Jakub Vrana has already proved he belongs in the top six on the Washington Capitals. Heck, he could even thrive playing on a top line role. He burst onto the NHL scene when he was 20 and scored his first NHL goal in Buffalo against the Sabres.
Back at that time in 2016-17 he started to gain new fans among the Capitals community and they knew he was well on his way to becoming a next generation superstar for the Caps.
2017-18 presented his fist full season in the NHL and he scored 13 goals and added 14 assists for 27 points. The next season he was even better with 24 goals and 23 assists for 47 points.
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Over the summer the Capitals re-signed Vrana to a two-year bridge deal worth $6.7 million, an average annual value (AAV) of $3.35 million.
Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan mentioned at the time of his signing:
"“Jakub is a highly skilled player with a tremendous upside and is a big part of our future. We are pleased with his development the past two seasons and are looking forward for him to continue to develop and reach his full potential with our organization.”"
MacLellan signed Vrana to that contract for one big reason: because he had the potential to be an impact player. So far this season Vrana has proved that. The 24-year old has already set career highs in goals with 25 as well as 27 assists for 52 points. If the season was to be completed a few weeks ago, maybe Vrana hits the 30 goal mark.
24 of Vrana’s goals have come on even strength with one on the power play. He doesn’t get enough time on there but he does have 11 power play assists while his other 16 have come at even strength.
Vrana has played on the second line next to Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie for much of the season if not all of it. Vrana’s Corsi For percentage on that line is 51.46 percent while his Fenwick For percentage is at 54.35 percent (via Natural Stat Trick). Vrana’s individual Corsi For percentage is 51 percent while is Fenwick For percentage is at 51.5 percent.
More. When Jakub Vrana made it OK to believe. light
If Vrana can keep the momentum going into next season he’ll be due an even bigger payday at the end of next season and it’ll likely be a contract he’ll deserve. Here’s hoping we can see Vrana’s impact in the seasons to come.