Detroit Red Wings: Joe Veleno back in the lineup after returning from injury

The Detroit Red Wings are continuing on with their season as they have won their last four and are 12-9-3 on the season. Recently they lost out on Tyler Bertuzzi, who will be absent for ten days and miss five games due to the COVID health and safety protocols.

Bertuzzi’s unvaccinated status means that he must sit out that entire period. The Detroit Red Wings need to fill that void in their offense. And that will likely come from forward Joe Veleno. The youngster is yet to get a long-term chance to stick with the Red Wings.

Filling in for Bertuzzi will allow Veleno to get some more time in the NHL with the pro squad. Veleno is set to return from an injury himself. He is slated to return and join the Red Wings as they look to win their fifth straight in tonight’s matchup with the New York Islanders.

The 21-year old forward has appeared in nine games this year which is an upgrade after his five-game debut during the 2020-21 season. He’s yet to get that big opportunity, but this might be a chance to prove he deserves an extended look.

Detroit Red Wings forward Joe Veleno is set to return in Tyler Bertuzzi’s absence.

As it stands now, Veleno has logged nine games with the Red Wings in 2021-22, where he has two goals and one assist for three total points on the year. He may not be scoring left and right and leaving the scoresheet full, but he certainly has an opportunity to succeed.

Veleno is a capable member of this Red Wings team. It’s just silly to think that he has to keep spending time in the minors rather than getting a chance. When he does get called up, he’s often buried on the third or fourth line.

While I am not suggesting that Veleno deserves to be on the top line ahead of Larkin, he should still have a better surrounding cast than Adam Erne. If Veleno can get some better help on the wing, he may be able to show that player that he can be for the Red Wings.

The Red Wings have a real chance in front of them when it comes to Veleno and his development. This is likely going to be Veleno’s lengthiest stint with the team, and if all goes well, he may earn a chance to stick around.

I think I speak for many fans when I say that I would rather see Veleno out there each night than players like Carter Rowney and Mitchell Stephens.