Late breaking news on a dead Tuesday in August, Joe Veleno has signed his next contract with the Red Wings:
That’s… not what I was expecting. One year and $825,000 AAV is below what some were projecting for the bottom-6 pivot in both term and dollars. But from Yzerman’s chair, it makes sense. Veleno has failed to punch a ticket to a roster spot higher than 4C, and as a general rule you don’t give money OR term to guys you can find every year during free agency.
Veleno was, at the very least, durable last season. He found his way into 81 games last season, some of which included time on the Powerplay – but he still only found his way to 9G/11A (1PPG/4PPP). This will definitely be a show-us year for Veleno, and if he can’t prove he can be better than this then I’m not sure how much longer he’ll have a fit with the Red Wings.
Welcome back, Joe (and watch your ankles, opponents).
LGRW
