As we near mid-August, the Detroit Red Wings have yet to come to terms with restricted free agent Joe Veleno; what gives?
Veleno, 23, is coming off a so-so season with the Detroit Red Wings totaling nine goals and 20 points over 81 games. He averaged below 13 minutes per night and finished the season with a minus-12 rating while primarily centering Detroit’s fourth line. This came after an ‘ok’ rookie season where he totaled eight goals and 15 points in 66 games but was a minus-14. As injuries continued to mount throughout the season, head coach Derek Lalonde experimented with Veleno in various ways, including playing on Dylan Larkin’s left wing on Detroit’s top line.