For all those Swedish hockey fans anxiously anticipating a happy homecoming involving former Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana, Linköping sports director Peter Jakobsson is offering a piece of advice.

You might want to pump the brakes.

Earlier this week, published reports out of Sweden had Vrana on the brink of signing with Linköping. Speaking during a podcast on the Swedish website Corren, Jakobsson sought to downplay these rumors.

“I like speculation, but it’s sad when it’s written that it’s clear even though it’s not,” Jakobsson said. “Sometimes you’re wrong.

“Sometimes you should calm down a bit.”

Jakub Vrana tells @puckempire that he will likely sign with Linkoping HC in Sweden, however he has 2-3 more offers on the table in Europe that he is mulling over.

Nothing official, but again, Sweden looks likely.

— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) August 4, 2025

Earlier this summer, Vrana, an unrestricted free agent, was insisting that he would wait as long as he could before giving up hope that he could land an NHL deal. He split last season between the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators.

Former Red Wings Player Turned Pro With Linköping

Vrana played for the Red Wings from 2021-23. In just 42 games for Detroit, he counted 22 goals and 32 points. Vrana also spent 17 games with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins during the 2022-23 season, producing 6-5-11 totals.

Both Linköping and Sparta Prague of the Czech Extraliga have been pursuing Vrana during the summer, but so far, the 2017-18 Stanley Cup champion with the Capitals is refusing to give up on the NHL dream.

Although he’s from Czechia, Vrana, 29, played junior with Linköping and turned pro with their SHL club in 2012-13. Jakobsson did acknowledge that he remains in contact with Vrana’s advisors and believes he still holds a strong chance to get his name on a contract.

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

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

With training camps open in Europe, Jakobsson would prefer that moment come sooner rather than later.

“You want to have everything ready early,” Jakobsson said. “The door is open – wide open

“Linköping is definitely a strong option for him. Percentages here and there . . . hard to say. I hope we see him here, but I can’t promise anything.

“As long as he hasn’t signed for any other club, I’m hopeful.”