JOE VELENO NEWS

Improves in fourth year Veleno finished with 12 goals, 16 assists and a minus-16 rating through 80 games of the 2023-24 campaign.

Impact Veleno established new career highs for goals and helpers, but that should be taken with a grain of salt, as this was just his fourth year in the league, including a five-game sample in the 2020-21 campaign. When Veleno was drafted in the first round (No. 30 overall) in 2018, the consensus thought among hockey pundits was that the skilled forward would rapidly evolve into a top-six skater with heavy utilization on the power play, but that hasn't materialized. Veleno took a pay cut ahead of last season and ended up with a one-year, $825,000 contract to remain with the Wings. The 24-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent after showing modest improvement this season.

APRIL 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Thursday Veleno (head) will play Thursday versus the Coyotes, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Impact Veleno will play Thursday after taking a puck off the head or neck in the second period of Tuesday's game versus the Sabres. The 24-year-old will play in a middle-six role between Michael Rasmussen and Patrick Kane. With Veleno good to go and Austin Czarnik called up, Daniel Sprong will be a healthy scratch.

MARCH 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't finish contest Veleno won't return to Tuesday's game versus the Sabres after taking a puck to the head in the second period.

Impact Veleno was struck by a Connor Clifton shot and immediately left the game. The 24-year-old Veleno has been in a top-six role due to Dylan Larkin (lower body) being out. With Larkin not expected back for another week, Veleno's absence will likely force the Red Wings to make a roster move.

MARCH 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Net positive effort Saturday Veleno posted an assist and six PIM in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Flames.

Impact Veleno was whistled for roughing, hooking and holding throughout the contest, but Wings goalie James Reimer stood on his head and the penalty-killing units were on point to let the winger off the hook. Most importantly, Veleno added his fifth point in the last six games, with the hot streak comprised of two goals and three helpers. The third-line contributor continues to sprinkle in the offense having already established career highs in goals (10), assists (13), and power-play points, with five of those through 52 games.

FEBRUARY 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes on power play Veleno scored a power-play goal on two shots, added two hits and went minus-2 in Tuesday's 8-4 loss to the Oilers.

Impact Veleno scored midway through the second period to cut the Red Wings' deficit to 3-2. The 24-year-old has two goals and two assists over his last four games, with three of those points coming on the power play. While he's seeing bottom-six usage at even strength, he's also on the second power-play unit. The Quebec native has 10 goals, 22 points (five on the power play), 58 shots on net, 56 hits and a minus-13 rating through 50 appearances in what's already a career year.

FEBRUARY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Delivers assist on way to win Veleno provided an assist in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Kings.

Impact With eight goals and nine assists through 40 games, Veleno finds himself four points away from establishing a new career high. The Red Wings have given Veleno plenty of opportunities to shine since drafting him 30th overall in 2018, and this is a pivotal year in terms of proving his worth given that he's on an expiring contract with a cap hit set at a mere $825,000. Veleno is due to become a restricted free agent in the summer.

JANUARY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tucks in wrap-around goal Veleno scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Ducks.

Impact Veleno was just able to squeak in a goal on a wrap-around in the second period, though it required video review to confirm. The 23-year-old center has picked up three points over his last four games since he missed two contests with an undisclosed injury. He's been solid in a middle-six role this season with 16 points, 50 shots on net, 28 hits and a minus-9 rating over 38 appearances.

JANUARY 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Notches helper Thursday Veleno recorded an assist in Thursday's 4-3 shootout win over the Kings.

Impact Veleno has two helpers over three contests since he returned from an undisclosed issue. The 23-year-old shifted back to center after a run of time on the wing, covering for Andrew Copp's (lower body) absence Thursday. Veleno has been a solid depth forward this season, racking up 15 points, 48 shots on net, 27 hits and a minus-11 rating over 37 appearances. His uptick in offense and drop in physicality leaves him on the fringe of fantasy relevance in standard formats.

JANUARY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to action Sunday Veleno (undisclosed) will be back in the lineup versus Boston on Sunday.

Impact Veleno missed both games after the Christmas break. He has only one assist in his last six games, giving the center seven goals and 13 points in 34 contests. Veleno is expected to return to his role as a top-six forward, but his time on the power play may be limited as he received no time with the man-advantage in his last two games.

DECEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected back Friday Veleno (undisclosed) is slated to miss out versus Nashville on Friday, Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News reports.

Impact Veleno is currently mired in a seven-game goal drought during which he recorded 13 shots and three assists. For now, David Perron looks set to take on a top-six role but Veleno should be in the mix to reclaim that spot once given the all-clear. Veleno did practice Thursday, which could set him up to return against Boston on Sunday.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out with undisclosed injury Veleno will not be available against Minnesota on Wednesday due to an undisclosed injury, Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News reports.

Impact Veleno has racked up 13 points in 34 games this season and should be a near-lock to top the personal best he set last season (20 points), barring an extended injury absence. With Veleno out of the lineup, both Michael Rasmussen and Jonatan Berggren figure to be candidates to move into a top-six role.

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures helper in barnburner Veleno registered an assist in Friday's 7-6 shootout win over the Flyers.

Impact The helper counts as Veleno's sixth point in the last month, a 16-game span coupled with a minus-11 rating. While those are pedestrian numbers from a fantasy perspective, it's worth noting that Veleno has been getting more looks on the power play after he'd been excluded from that spot during the first month of the season.

DECEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Finds twine on power play Veleno scored a power-play goal on two shots, blocked two shots, added two PIM and went minus-2 in Monday's 6-3 loss to the Stars.

Impact Veleno led the Red Wings' skaters with 22:11 of ice time. He was able to knock in a loose puck for their third goal, but a comeback push didn't materialize. Veleno has a modest four points over his last 13 outings, giving him seven goals, three assists, 32 shots on net, 21 hits, six PIM and a minus-2 rating through 27 contests overall.

DECEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pots sixth goal Veleno opened the scoring in Saturday's 5-4 overtime win over the Canadiens.

Impact Veleno was in perfect position for his goal once Lucas Raymond's shot pinballed off the pad of goaltender Jake Allen. While Veleno hasn't had more than three shots in a given contest, he's been on point, managing six goals through 23 games and turning in a remarkable 22.2 shooting percentage. He's registered only three helpers, but it's safe to say that overall, Veleno is currently exceeding the value of the $825,000 contract extension that he signed ahead of this season.

DECEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up apple in shutout Veleno registered an assist in Wednesday's 4-0 shutout win over the Devils.

Impact Veleno had cooled off considerably following a stretch in October that resulted in him netting five goals in as many games, so returning to the scoresheet in such a big win should be a boon for the forward's confidence. A first-round, 30th overall draft pick from 2018, Veleno has had countless chances to prove his worth in Motown, but we've yet to see him break out offensively for a sustained period of time. He's collected eight points through 18 games, which qualifies as a pedestrian output considering how deep the forward position is in fantasy hockey.

NOVEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Five goals in last five games Veleno scored a goal Saturday in a 4-1 loss to Boston.

Impact It was his fifth goal in as many games. Veleno tucked a shot into the top right corner past Jeremy Swayman at 6:40 of the third period. He has six points in nine games. At this rate, Veleno will shatter his career best nine goals and 20 points from last season, but this will be a difficult pace to keep up over the course of the year.

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in third straight Veleno tallied a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Kraken.

Impact Veleno opened the scoring early in the second period Tuesday, deflecting an Olli Maatta shot over the shoulder of Joey Daccord to give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead. It's been quite a run for the 23-year-old Veleno, tallying four goals in his last three games after scoring just nine goals with 11 assists in 81 games last season. While it's unlikely he'll provide offense at his current rate, Veleno could be a decent secondary-scoring option while centering David Perron and Daniel Sprong on Detroit's third line.

OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores again Sunday Veleno scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Flames.

Impact Veleno erupted for three goals over two games this weekend. He picked up just one assist in four outings prior to the burst of offense. The 23-year-old has four points, seven shots on net, four hits and a plus-4 rating over six contests. He's seeing consistent time in a bottom-six role, though he'll have trouble maintaining any gains on offense since he sees little power-play time.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Detroit hosts Calgary following Veleno's 2-goal performance

The Detroit Red Wings host the Calgary Flames after Joe Veleno's two-goal game against the Ottawa Senators in the Red Wings' 5-2 win

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • Associated Press

Joe Veleno leads Red Wings past Senators for fourth straight win Joe Veleno had the first two-goal game of his career, Dylan Larkin supplied a goal and two assists, and the Detroit Red Wings extended their...

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Lights lamp twice in Ottawa Veleno scored his first two goals of the season in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Senators.

Impact The 23-year-old produced the first two-goal game of his career while also supplying Detroit's only offense at even strength -- the team's other three tallies came on the power play. Veleno set modest career highs with nine goals and 20 points in 81 games last season, and while he could top those numbers in 2023-24 as the roster around him continues to improve, his checking-line role and lack of ice time with the man advantage won't make him a consistent offensive threat.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joe Veleno scores twice and Ville Husso makes 35 saves as the Red Wings beat the Senators 5-2 Joe Veleno scored his first two goals of the season and Dylan Larkin added a goal and two assists as the Detroit Red Wings posted their four...

OCTOBER 21, 2023 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM