Washington Capitals GM Reveals Why Jakub Vrana Was Traded

The Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings pulled off the biggest trades on Monday just seconds before the trade deadline. The Wings sent Anthony Mantha to the Capitals in exchange for Richard Panik, Jakub Vrana as well as a first and second-round pick. Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan was very open and honest when it came to the trade and why he felt he needed to move Vrana off the Caps.

MacLellan met with the media post trade and discussed how he saw some things in Vrana's body language and his work ethic that became worrisome and he was a fan of the cost certainty that came with Mantha who is signed for three more seasons:

MacLellan also mentioned Vrana's RFA status w/ arb rights as another factor in the deal: "He's got some good numbers. Projecting that salary, we get some cost certainty with Mantha so we know what his contract is. That played a factor in it, yes."
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) April 12, 2021

It's not often you see a team swap young forwards and especially with Mantha having just signed a four-year contract extension six months ago. This sounds like a couple of general managers that weren't sold on their player and wanted to recoup some of their value immediately before it was too late.

As for Vrana, he's a pending restricted free-agent who now has to try and work a hard bargain with Wings general manager Steve Yzerman. One things for sure, if he's showing any frustration or lack of compete level, don't expect to see Vrana signed to an expensive contract extension after the season.