Former Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana is a man with options when it comes to his pro hockey career. However, what he doesn’t currently have at his disposal is an offer he can’t refuse.

That would be the chance to suit up with an NHL team.

Sparta Prague, the top club in the Czech Extraliga in Vrana’s homeland, is putting the full-court press on him, seeking to secure his name on a contract for the 2025-26 season. So far, he’s proving resistant to their overtures.

“We talked to him, we approached him,” Tomas Divisek, sporting director for Sparta, said about Vrana during an appearance on the Livesport podcast in Czechia.

DAL @ DET – 4/22/2021

Jakub Vrana – 1-0 Red Wings #LGRW pic.twitter.com/pDu0fD9Hi3

— Red Wings Goals In Order (@RedWingsVids) March 21, 2025

Vrana was abundantly clear in his response to the Sparta offer. The NHL remains his priority.

“I think he will wait until the last possible moment,” Divisek said. “He wants to try to return to America, that’s clear.

“He is waiting. He believes he can still make it there.”

Last fall, Vrana, 29, would earn a spot with the Washington Capitals via a training camp PTO. He split the season between Washington and the Nashville Predators. In 39 games, Vrana would account for nine goals and five assists.

Sweden Is Another Option For Former Red Wings Vrana

A Red Wings player from 2021-23, Vrana scored 22 goals in 42 games for Detroit. Over an 82-game season, that would work out to a 43-goal campaign.

Left-winger Vrana played both in junior and the SHL for Linkoping. That club is seeking to lure him back to Sweden.

“Vrana is from Prague,” Divisek said. “He grew up in Letnany, which is a bit of a plus for us. But he is actually at home in Sweden too.

“We compete with him here.”

Jakub Vrana. 4th liner, 2% EV Defense pic.twitter.com/TjcYmhoIvq

— Robert W. Reeder IV (@BobTheEconomist) July 8, 2025

European training camps open next month. Vrana isn’t likely to give up on his NHL dream before September. If that’s the case, Divisek is willing to be patient.

“We’re giving him time,” Divisek said. “We know that we would be interested in such a quality player.”

Sparta Prague already has one former Red Wings player under contract. Defenseman Mark Pysyk was signed by the team earlier in the offseason.