Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman accomplished what he has wanted to do since January: unload Jakub Vrana.
Vrana was traded to the St. Louis Blues on Friday for a seventh-round pick in 2025 and minor-leaguer Dylan McLaughlin. The Wings retained 50% of Vrana's salary on the contract that runs through next season with a $5.25 million salary cap hit.
The trade ends what had been a turbulent time with the Wings for the talented forward.
Vrana stood out immediately for his on-ice skills when he was acquired at the 2021 trade deadline, pumping eight goals in the 11 games he played with the Wings in what was left of that pandemic-shortened season.