If you’re still wondering why Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman opted to cut ties with forward Jakub Vrana, take a look at what’s going on with Vrana and his Swedish club Linköping.

A major scandal has broken out between Vrana and a Swedish media report that he threatened to walk out on the club over a team-building exercise.

According to information from Radiosporten, Vrana was willing to leave the club rather than participate in a team-bonding that involved spending the night together in the wilderness.

“I’m not here to be in the forest, I’m here to play ice hockey,” the former NHLer is reported to have said.

Jakub Vrána när han får reda på att det är fysträning. https://t.co/z96vZgvdB7 pic.twitter.com/iJUHvvGtIC

— Jonas Nordkvist (@NordkvistJonas) September 19, 2025

The report brought further criticism of Vrana from another ex-Red Wings forward, former Swedish national team coach Johan Garpenlöv.

“Those are really bad signals,” Garpenlöv told Swedish website Aftonbladet. “The reason the management is doing that is to see what kind of character the players have. He shows quite clearly what kind of character he has.

“He doesn’t want to be a good teammate and help at all. We’re seeing that now at the beginning of the season too.”

Linkoping is off to an 0-3 start. Vrana is pointless and has been benched during games.

Former Red Wings Player Denies Accusations

An angry Vrana vehemently denied these accusations in an exclusive interview with Swedish Hockey News, calling it “rumor mongering.”

“Someone is making it up,” Vrana said. “I am disappointed and angry at how it is portrayed. We were at team building, we fought together and it was tough. We got through it.

“Why would any of this be true? I don’t understand anything. That I, Jakub Vrana, should leave Linköping and pack my bags because of a team building? It is far from the truth, so it doesn’t exist. I am not going to pack any bags.”

Linköping sports director Peter Jakobsson backed his player, also denying the allegations against Vrana.

“I have not heard of Jakub Vrana saying or acting like this,” Jakobsson said.

Jakub Vrána 🚨 #lhchockey
🎥 ExpressenTV pic.twitter.com/QEf46Wm9x0

— SwehockeyGIFs (@swehockeygifs) September 5, 2025

Vrana is facing a new issue that is going to hamper his Swedish return. He’s suffered a lower-body injury that will put him out of action.

“I have a groin injury and have been playing on painkillers, and haven’t been able to help the team fully,” Vrana said. “I’ll be out for a while now.”

Vrana readily admits that he’s unhappy with his start to the season.

“I haven’t played well,” he said. “I wasn’t anywhere near what I can do.”

Red Wings Dealt Vrana in 2023

On paper, Vrana was productive for the Red Wings. He scored 22 goals in 42 games from 2021-23.

Off the ice, there were issues. Following the 2020-21 season, management wanted Vrana to undergo surgery to correct a shoulder issue. He chose instead to return home to the Czech Republic, promising to rehab the injury over the summer.

On the first day of training camp, he injured the shoulder. Ensuing surgery wiped out most of Vrana’s 2021-22 season.

Two games into the 2022-23 season, Vrana entered into the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Upon his return from the program, Vrana was placed on waivers and assigned to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins when he cleared. At the NHL trade deadline, Vrana was dealt to the St. Louis Blues.