Examining Joe Veleno's new deal with the Detroit Red Wings

On Friday, the Detroit Red Wings and pending restricted free agent forward Joe Veleno avoided arbitration and agreed to a two-year contract extension for $2.275 million annually.

My initial reaction to the new contract was sort of, wow. I know it's splitting hairs, but I felt as though it might be a bit of an overpay in a world where we seem to be counting pennies and navigating the salary cap after every signing, knowing the organization needs to extend forward Lucas Raymond and top defender, Moritz Seider.

Veleno, 24, a former first-round draft selection (30th overall) from the 2018 NHL Entry Level Draft, hasn't quite lived up to his pre-draft hype after being one of a few kids granted exceptional status, which allows a player to begin their junior hockey career a year earlier than everyone else. Veleno is a smooth skater utilized in various ways throughout Detroit's lineup since becoming a regular in 2021-22. Veleno is a natural center who's played up and down the lineup and also has spent time playing the wing when needed. Still, he's settled in as a fourth-line player primarily due to his inability to become an invariant offensive threat. Watching the speedy forward is frustrating because you can see many tools in the toolbag, yet he still hasn't proven he can drive a line consistently.

Joe Veleno needs to be more consistent for the Detroit Red Wings moving forward.

At times, Veleno has a knack for doing his best Houdini impression. During the 2022-23 season, Veleno went pointless for a 20-game stretch from mid-February to the end of March. He also had a lengthy 25-consecutive-game streak without a goal. This past season, Veleno recorded just one goal and two points over the Detroit Red Wings final 22 games of the regular season.

Last year, Veleno recorded career-highs across the board, scoring 12 goals and 28 points over 80 games while averaging just a few ticks under 14 minutes per game. Veleno's minus-16 rating was tied for the team's worst with one-way defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.

If Veleno hopes to carve out a lengthy NHL career, he needs to become a better two-way player and find a way to become a more consistent offensive contributor. There is nothing wrong with being a career bottom-six forward, but Veleno needs to find a way to become more valuable, even if it's in a niche-type role moving forward for the Red Wings.