Blues acquire Vrana from Red Wings

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the team has acquired forward Jakub Vrana from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for forward Dylan McLaughlin and a seventh-round draft pick in 2025.

Vrana, 27, has spent the past three seasons with the Red Wings, totaling 32 points (22 goals, 10 assists) and 18 penalty minutes in 42 regular-season games. The 6-foot, 195-pound forward was originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in the first round, 13th overall, of the 2014 NHL Draft.
"I love the opportunity to give him a second chance, and what he does with that and the opportunity we can provide him to make it the best fit," Armstrong said. "When you look at his skill and talent, he's a Top-6 player or Top-9 player at worst all day long. Now we just have to give him the opportunity to show that."

Vrana made 284 regular-season appearances over five seasons with the Capitals, posting 157 points (76 goals, 81 assists) and 67 penalty minutes. The Prague, Czech Republic, native also dressed in 38 postseason games with Washington, including 2018 when he logged eight points (three goals, five assists) to help the team capture the Stanley Cup.
Overall, in 326 career regular-season games, Vrana has totaled 189 points (98 goals, 91 assists) and 85 penalty minutes.
McLaughlin, 27, was signed by the Blues as a free agent on July 14, 2022. This season, the Lancaster, New York, native has scored one goal in six appearances with the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.