In Red Wings Land

Red Wings sign first-rounder Joe Veleno after big offensive season | Detroit News

A 6-foot-1, 193-pound center, Veleno enjoyed a prolific offensive season playing for Drummondville in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Veleno had 104 points, on 42 goals and 62 assists, while leading Drummondville into the league championship, where it lost to Halifax (which is led by defenseman Jared McIsaac, a second-round pick of the Wings last June).

Joe Veleno had an excellent season in juniors and I think Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings will give him a legit opportunity to make the opening night roster next fall. The good news is that Veleno is eligible to play for Grand Rapids next season. It’s not an NHL or juniors only scenario like we saw with Michael Rasmussen. I expect Veleno to start with the Griffins, but I’d be shocked if he didn’t make his way up to the NHL at some point.

Around the League

Marchand: No regrets for punching Harrington | ESPN

Marchand called the punch “a reaction” after, he said, his teammate Jake DeBrusk was bullied in front of the Blue Jackets’ net. Marchand said DeBrusk took “about six punches there from two guys” and therefore he felt he needed to defend his teammate.

”Having to talk about it today, is probably not something I’d go back and do it again,” Marchand said Wednesday.

Marchand is never going to change and the league is probably never going to take the necessary action to force him to change.

¯_(ツ)_/¯