NHL Buzz: Vrana makes season debut for Red Wings

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2021-22 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

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Detroit Red Wings

Jakub Vrana made his season debut for the Red Wings against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday.
The forward injured his shoulder during training camp and had surgery. He last played an NHL game May 8, 2021.
"I haven't played a game in almost a year," Vrana said. "I'm trying to get to my routine. I'm super excited. That's all I can say."
Vrana, who took part in the morning skate on a line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Pius Suter, scored 11 points (eight goals, three assists) in 11 games after he was acquired by the Red Wings in a trade with the Washington Capitals on April 12.
"They're really great players, they've been showing it, and I'm just going to jump in and try and help the team as much as I can with my game, and I'm really excited to play with them," Vrana said.
Defenseman Danny DeKeyser was placed on injured reserve. He had six assists in 43 games this season.

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Pittsburgh Penguins

Teddy Blueger played for the Penguins against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
The forward missed 16 games with a fractured jaw since a 3-2 shootout win against the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 23. Blueger had surgery Jan. 24 and was expected to be sidelined 6-8 weeks.
"It just creates a deeper lineup, a more balanced lineup," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said Monday. "Gives us the ability to play guys in certain situations that help them play to their strengths."
Blueger said he plans to play with a full face shield he's used since first practicing Feb. 22. He skated at fourth-line center with left wing Zach Aston-Reese and right wing Brock McGinn on Monday.
Blueger scored 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 40 games.
"I think everything that I've done leading up to [returning], all the contact, the puck protection, all that stuff has felt really good," Blueger said. "For me, whatever role I'm put in, that's my job and that's what I'm going to focus on." -- Wes Crosby

Minnesota Wild

Jordan Greenway returned to play for the Wild against the New York Rangers on Tuesday.
The forward missed six games with an upper-body injury sustained in a 4-3 loss at the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 22.
"Obviously pumped to get back and to be back with them," Greenway said Tuesday. "We're going to try to continue where we left off and bring some energy and get things going again."
Minnesota was 1-5-0 and outscored 30-17 without Greenway. The Wild played with a healthy lineup for the first time since Dec. 16.
"[His return] puts everything in place," coach Dean Evason said. "We talked about that (Greenway-Joel Eriksson Ek-Marcus Foligno) line a lot, kind of our identity line, our security blanket we called them. They just do a lot of right things. Big strong, play against top lines so it'll be nice to have them back in there for sure."

New Jersey Devils

Nico Hischier did not play for the Devils against the Colorado Avalanche because of a lower-body injury.
The center has "been bothered now for the last couple games" Devils coach Lindy Ruff said.
Hischier was third on the Devils with 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists) in 50 games. -- Mike G. Morreale

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Tampa Bay Lightning

Zach Bogosian returned to play for the Lightning against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.
The defenseman missed 15 games with a lower-body injury sustained in a 3-1 win against the Dallas Stars on Jan. 15.
"It's been unfortunate for the majority of the year for me, but I try to look at things in a positive way," Bogosian said after the morning skate Tuesday. "It's been a long journey back, but it's nothing I haven't experienced before. I've dug myself out of deeper holes. I'm just looking forward to getting back."
Bogosian scored six points (two goals, four assists) in 23 games this season.
Nashville Predators
Nick Cousins returned to play for the Predators lineup against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday after missing seven games with a lower-body injury.
The forward had not played since Feb. 23, when he was injured in a 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets when he collided with teammate Ryan Johansen.
Cousins scored 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 42 games this season. -- John Glennon