Red Wings Player Grades: Assessing The Forwards of the Future
By Nate Brown
Joe Veleno
2021 Statline:
Goals: 1 (5 games)
CF%: 43.2%
Preseason Projections:
Take another step forward in the SHL. Possibly some time in Detroit.
2021 Season in a Nutshell
Veleno had a solid season in the SHL and put up double digit goals in a “men’s league,” proving that the scoring touch many wondered about might exist. Veleno impressed in his five games in Detroit, showing a strong two-way game and potting his first NHL goal.
They said it
“Ultimately, Joe would like to be a big piece of this organization; we’d like Joe to be a big piece of us becoming a great team, a winning team.” Jeff Blashill via Mlive.com
Final Grade: Incomplete
Veleno obviously was only up for a short sample but things look brighter as the player they hope they “stole” late in the 2018 draft has shown the speed and 200 foot game they crave. His numbers in the SHL only added to the confidence that Veleno could be that one-two punch down the middle for Detroit. The goal scoring is really the only question mark, but again, if more talent is added, Veleno’s overall game would benefit and so too, would his stats. He nearly scored his first goal off of a turnover he forced so the talent is there. Will it convert?