DETROIT | Joseph Veleno played 66 for the Red Wings and eleven times for the Grand Rapids Griffins last season. Despite spending most of the season in the NHL, the 22-year-old center still hasn’t been given the green light to make a home in Motown country.
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“I’ve been staying with Jakub Vrana since the camp started,” Veleno said on Friday, hours before the Red Wings’ first game of the season against the Canadiens at Caesars Arena. That was my reality last year too, I didn’t really have a home. It doesn’t bother me, but I don’t want to do the trip between Detroit and Grand Rapids again. »
In the short term, Veleno has achieved its goal. He got the job as the team’s fourth center and fended off Switzerland’s Pius Suter, who played all 82 games for the Wings last year, in the stands.
“For me it’s important that I have to play every game well,” recalled the first round selection (30th) of the wingers in 2018. But that applies to the whole team. We want to make a good impression this year. There is a new coach, there are several new players and we want the team to improve.
“There are good players in the stands,” he continued. There is depth on offense. The new coaches have built up the training and I’m happy to be part of it. I always have to remember that this is my last game. »
In 66 games last year in Detroit, Veleno had 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists). Former Voltigeurs de Drummondville and Sea Dogs Saint-Jean are hoping to take another level offensively.
“I want to improve my lot in the formation but there will be phases that have to be respected. I have to play well and be consistent. The coaches will look at me and make decisions. I will determine my place in this formation after my game on the ice. »
minutes above all
When asked about Veleno’s place in his team, Derek Lalonde described his situation with great frankness. He will only stay in Detroit if he can afford decent playing time.
“We asked him to become a more difficult player during the pre-season games,” explained Lalonde. He has to play good defensive games, be a responsible center. He has talent and skill, but he sometimes chooses risky plays.
“He won a position for the first game of the season. Joe and Elmer [Soderblom] remain in an assessment period. You have to play significant minutes in the NHL. If we don’t make it, they could go back to Grand Rapids. Giving them big roles in the American League might make more sense. We’ll judge by their game earlier in the season. »