Wraparound Strome Capitals ARLINGTON, V.A. — Over the last couple of months, Jakub Vrana and Dylan McIlrath have been living the suite life. Both won roster spots to open the year with the Capitals, but amid uncertainly about the way things would go, they were both put up in a hotel in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, a short walk from the team's practice facility, for the last couple of months. Finally, they got the call he'd been waiting for: after putting in the effort at NHL level, they were both told to go find a more permanent place to stay. For Vrana, it's a testament to the work he's put in to get back to the NHL. It's been a long road for the 28-year-old, who has spent the majority of his time in the AHL over the last couple of years following time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. "It's been nice. It's just the second next step, and you're going go and find your own place," Vrana said, adding, "We can settle in a little bit more." McIlrath, meanwhile, made an NHL opening night roster for the first time in eight years where he continued to believe in himself, so it's been quite the journey for him, too. "I think timing (was huge)," McIlrath said. "I've just been working on my craft over these last eight years, sometimes I was in the mix to make the team, sometimes not so much. And just tried to keep my head down and keep believing that I could play in this league." There are parts of hotel life that Vrana will miss, like the mini kitchen and the walks to the rink every morning. However, he pointed out that it'll be nice for him, his girlfriend and his dog that they can have their own space, while McIlrath, his wife and children can finally settle into the area. "It's nice, Mac's got kids, we both have family," Vrana pointed out. "It's nice to kind of settle in and find our own place."
