The Detroit Red Wings have brought back one of their younger players. News broke on Friday that Joe Veleno re-signed with the team. This contract is for $4.5 million and is for the two years. The contract runs out at the end of the 2025-26season and has an average salary cap hit of $2.275 million.
Detroit and Joe Veleno have settled
2x$2.275M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 19, 2024
Joe Veleno Re-Signed by Red Wings
In his four-year NHL career, Veleno has only played for the Red Wings. The 24-year-old potted a career-high 12 goals and dished out 16 assists in 80 games this campaign. He had a Corsi for of 46.2 and a relative Corsi of -0.6.
The Montreal native has a career-total of 30 goals and 34 assists for 64 points in 232 career games. Detroit originally took Veleno in the first round with the 30th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Veleno was the first player from the Province of Quebec to be granted exceptional player status. He’s also won gold at the international level for his native Canada. The centre got gold at the 2018 Ivan Hlinka Tournament, the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2023 IIHF World Championships.
What it Means
Detroit just missed out on returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, Veleno started gain more responsibility. He reached double-digit goals for the first time in his career. However, he and the rest of the team want to take the next step forward.
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has put together some young talent. Veleno is a part of it, but the fan base wants to get back to the playoffs for the first time in a number of years.
There were positive signs, but the Atlantic Division is going to be a tough division to get out of with a number of top-contending teams. There’s lots of pressure on Veleno and the team to show some progress.
Main photo by: Rick Osentoski – USA TODAY Sports
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