The Montreal Canadiens and general manager Kent Hughes are making a little splash in the 2025 NHL free agency pool today. The news is that they are adding a depth, scorer-type forward to the roster. It is being announced that left-shot centre Joe Veleno signs a contract with the Habs. It is a one-year contract, worth a value of $900K. This is exactly the type of move we would’ve anticipated from Hughes, in attempt to round out the roster. Let’s figure out what it means.
The Montreal Canadiens have signed Quebec-born centre, Joe Veleno, to a one-year contract
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Joe Veleno Signs Contract With Montreal Canadiens
Veleno is a product of Montreal and played his junior hockey in the QMJHL. This was highlighted by a league championship as a member of the Saint John Sea Dogs in 2017. Furthermore, he had a nice season personally to end his junior career with 42 goals and 62 assists for 104 points in 59 games as a member of the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Moreover, he was drafted in 2018 by the Detroit Red Wings. He was a later first-round selection, 30th overall.
Veleno began his professional career in the AHL and even tried his luck in Sweden. In 2020-21, with uncertainty of the Covid-19 Pandemic wreaking havoc on the schedule, he went to Malmo, Sweden. No doubt it was invaluable experience for the young man. Also, it showed his true commitment to perfecting his craft.
What Veleno Has Brought in NHL and Will Provide for Canadiens
His NHL career began in 2020-21, with five games for the Red Wings. Since that time, he has been fairly regular. Perhaps the one knock against him, is that he hasn’t produced as was hoped. In 306 career games, he has 38 goals and 43 assists for 81 points. However, a change of scenery was clearly what he was looking for, agreeing to this contract. Plus, it is a homecoming for him.
This past season, he spent between the Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored eight goals and nine assists in 74 games, playing 12:07 a night.
Montreal has a good group of bottom-nine forwards, and Veleno should be able to find a home. Between guys like Brendan Gallagher, Kirby Dach, Josh Anderson, and Alex Newhook, they should be able to find a third-line combination that works. It’s unlikely Veleno would find himself in the top six. However, he does play a gritty game, and can play in multiple roles, and still carry himself. This is another big move by Hughes, who already cemented themselves as playoff contenders. With the Noah Dobson acquisition, plus the raise in young players game, Montreal just needed a little moves like this to help round out their roster.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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