Detroit Red Wings: 5 prospects to watch in training camp
By Tyler Kotila
Detroit Red Wings former first-rounder, Joe Veleno
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Lastly, the Detroit Red Wings may have some decisions to make coming out of training camp, and one of those is going to be the decision on where Joe Veleno will end up.
Veleno, a first-round pick from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, made his NHL debut last season, logging all of five games.
While he is still looking for a true chance to hang around in the NHL, the Red Wings may wind up sending him back to Grand Rapids to start out the 2021-22 season. He’s more than ready to make the leap.
Even if there are some learning curves and an adjustment period, it seems like Veleno is more than ready to play at the NHL level on a nightly basis.
The Red Wings should recognize this during training camp and make sure he gets a spot on the roster.
While there is a very distinct chance that Veleno spends the beginning of the season in Grand Rapids, given some of the recent roster moves, he should not. Veleno has the skills and is a player who can make things happen all over the ice.
The 21-year old centerman deserves his shot. He can be an asset to this Red Wings roster and is a part of this team’s future plans. He had one goal over his five-game stretch, so he got the first-game and first-goal jitters out of the way.
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As training camp kicks off, Veleno’s performance will likely dictate if he squeezes onto the Red Wings roster or gets sent back to Grand Rapids. While the Griffins’ development will be good for him, he’s ready for the NHL and deserves an extended chance.