Signing Montreal signs Joe Veleno (1 year $900K AAV)

[TurdBurglar]

Just saw it reported, one year deal, no further details available yet.

 

Veleno was bought out by Seattle last month.

 

 

[Commandant]

1 year, 900K

 

So hes either a depth forward on the team, or if sent to Laval doesnt count on the cap.

 

Not a bad gamble.

[GHT120]

2 minutes ago, Commandant said:

1 year, 900K

 

So hes either a depth forward on the team, or if sent to Laval doesnt count on the cap.

 

Not a bad gamble.

Agreed ... but cue the HE ISN'T A 2C complaints across the Internet

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Left handed centre 

 

As noted by others, seems like a low risk gamble and if it doesn’t work out then Joe goes on waivers 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

A low risk play. 

[dlbalr]

Well, his market must have non-existent from the get-go.  Getting him just $125,000 above the minimum salary isn't something I saw coming; I figured seven figures was an absolute lock.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

The good thing here is Seattle has an abundance of C, implying that he might be a victim of the numbers game and perhaps can do a credible job as #4C. 🤷‍♂️ He seemed to be doing OK in Detroit for a couple of years before going downhill.

[WildTurkeyXX]

I can definitely get behind this signing. If he can ever find his game he could absolutely develop into a quality middle 6 center. At this point in his career there are some pretty big question marks, but as many have already stated, it's a very low risk signing. Well worth the (little) risk.

[GHT120]

53 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

The good thing here is Seattle has an abundance of C, implying that he might be a victim of the numbers game and perhaps can do a credible job as #4C. 🤷‍♂️ He seemed to be doing OK in Detroit for a couple of years before going downhill.

 

Of course that would push Evans to 3C, which I see as his absolute ceiling (and no guarantee) ... although it may be a necessity this season

[Commandant]

10 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

 

Of course that would push Evans to 3C, which I see as his absolute ceiling (and no guarantee) ... although it may be a necessity this season

 

This is assuming that one of Dach/Newhook is playing wing (or not playing at all). 

[IN THE HEARTS OF MEN]

I believe this is to put pressure on

Kapanan and Beck to perform and be ready for camp. Their spot with the big club isn't guaranteed. Internal competition for spots is a good thing.

I still think Dach will be given another chance to fulfill the promise and potential he showed when he arrived as a 2C and I think Newhook starts as 3C (if it worked for Stanley Cup winning Aves, surely it can work for us  too)

 

Suzy

Dach

Newhook

Evans

 

Veleno

Kapanan

Beck

 

[Commandant]

1 hour ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

The good thing here is Seattle has an abundance of C, implying that he might be a victim of the numbers game and perhaps can do a credible job as #4C. 🤷‍♂️ He seemed to be doing OK in Detroit for a couple of years before going downhill.

 

He never played a game for Seattle. 

 

In June, He was traded from Chicago to Seattle for Burakovsky.  Seattle then bought out Veleno the next day. 

 

Burakovsky was the cap dump by Seattle, and buying out Veleno was cheaper than buying out Burakovsky. 

 

So, Seattle never even really considered him an option..... he played mostly with Detroit and some with Chicago last year. 

[GHT120]

44 minutes ago, Commandant said:

This is assuming that one of Dach/Newhook is playing wing (or not playing at all). 

Veleno isn't pushing Evans to the wing ... so if he is 4C then Evans is 3C ... of course, don't expect Veleno to be 4C ... and as things stand Dach is likely 2C.

[DON]

1 hour ago, WildTurkeyXX said:

I can definitely get behind this signing. If he can ever find his game he could absolutely develop into a quality middle 6 center. At this point in his career there are some pretty big question marks, but as many have already stated, it's a very low risk signing. Well worth the (little) risk.

38g in 306games, he is what he is, i sure hope he isnt in the middle six.

[WildTurkeyXX]

4 minutes ago, DON said:

2 hours ago, WildTurkeyXX said:

the (little) risk.

38g in 306games, he is what he is, i sure hope he isnt in the middle six.

 

You might be right, but I'm going to be optimistic for more. He's always shown to have a high quality skill set. I don't know what's held him back or if he'll ever find another gear, but I'm not going to rule out his potential to grow into a solid 3rd line center. I think maybe if he can come to terms with the fact that he's not a top 6, and can actually dedicate himself to adjusting his game to be the best bottom 6 he can be, we might all be happily surprised. 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

1 hour ago, IN THE HEARTS OF MEN said:

I believe this is to put pressure on

Kapanan and Beck to perform and be ready for camp. Their spot with the big club isn't guaranteed. Internal competition for spots is a good thing.

I still think Dach will be given another chance to fulfill the promise and potential he showed when he arrived as a 2C and I think Newhook starts as 3C (if it worked for Stanley Cup winning Aves, surely it can work for us  too)

 

Suzy

Dach

Newhook

Evans

 

Veleno

Kapanan

Beck

 

 

I mean…if we think that Newhook is actually a serious, legit option at C, then for sure our C depth picture changes. Otherwise, see below.

 

2 hours ago, GHT120 said:

 

Of course that would push Evans to 3C, which I see as his absolute ceiling (and no guarantee) ... although it may be a necessity this season

 

Yeah…in terms of natural C, we’re looking at

 

Suzuki

Dach

Evans

Veleno

AHLers

 

Assuming Newhook is NOT the answer, then at this juncture we seem to be going with a “quantity” approach to the bottom 6. Hope that one of Veleno, Kapanen, Beck - or maybe even some rotation - affords credible NHL minutes. At face value, the list above is pretty terrible after Suzuki.

 

 

[Commandant]

One of Veleno/Newhook will be a Centre given they are the only two lefties.

 

I could very well see Newhook as the 3C and Veleno in the pressbox or Laval.  Its a possibility.

 

Veleno has not been guaranteed a spot based on the contract he has gotten.

[Habsfan89]

Would like to see in preseason what a 4th line of F.Xhekaj - Veleno - Blais could do. Could be a good  4th line energy line for us. 

[Commandant]

EWWW

 

I think those three together, one a rookie who isn't NHL ready, and two guys who might be best suited as 13th forwards, would get totally dominated by other teams.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Anderson - Veleno - Gallagher as our 4th line with Veleno taking extra faceoffs when a lefty is needed. 
 

Laine - Evans - Newhook as 3rd line 

[Commandant]

2 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Anderson - Veleno - Gallagher as our 4th line with Veleno taking extra faceoffs when a lefty is needed. 
 

Laine - Evans - Newhook as 3rd line 

 

that looks much more likely and allows Kapanen/Beck to play big minutes in Laval. 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

29 minutes ago, Commandant said:

EWWW

 

I think those three together, one a rookie who isn't NHL ready, and two guys who might be best suited as 13th forwards, would get totally dominated by other teams.

 

Perhaps but not much risk in a preseason game. The other team would have to keep their heads up, might be fun. 

 

Maybe Veleno will surprise, watched an interview with him, I think he realizes that at age 25 there might not be too many chances left for him. 

[Commandant]

Just now, Habs Fan in Edmonton said:

 

Perhaps but not much risk in a preseason game. The other team would have to keep their heads up, might be fun. 

 

Maybe Veleno will surprise, watched an interview with him, I think he realizes that at age 25 there might not be too many chances left for him. 

 

I can buy one of those three players surprise, and Veleno is the best bet to surprise this season. 

 

I don't like relying on all three of them to surprise and be an effective NHL line. 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

1 hour ago, Commandant said:

 

that looks much more likely and allows Kapanen/Beck to play big minutes in Laval. 

I think this is the likeliest of scenarios. We have a bit of a logjam for spots anyway and a complete season for Kapanen in Laval would be wise as well. 
 

I bet Reinbacher gets called up if Matheson gets traded at the deadline. 

[tomh009]

1 hour ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

I bet Reinbacher gets called up if Matheson gets traded at the deadline. 

Or, conversely, if Reinbacher looks ready for the NHL, Matheson may be traded even if the Habs are in a playoff position.