Joe Veleno

Joe Veleno

26-Year-Old CenterC
Montreal Canadiens
2025 Fantasy Outlook
After a tough start to the season with the Red Wings, Veleno looked like a different player following the midseason trade to Chicago, posting three goals and four assists in 18 games. This came after just 10 points in 56 games with the Red Wings. The 24-year-old didn't play a major role with the Blackhawks, averaging just 12:38 per game. An offseason trade sent him to Seattle -- though that stint was short-lived when the Kraken placed him on unconditional waivers. Ultimately, Veleno signed a one-year deal to join his hometown Canadiens. Even if Veleno establishes himself as an everyday player, there likely won't be any power-play time for him. He can rack up some hits -- he's finished with over 100 hits in all of his full NHL seasons -- but without big opportunity and quality linemates, Veleno might have a tough time getting back over the 20-point mark. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a one-year contract with the Canadiens in July of 2025.
Hands out assist in loss
CMontreal Canadiens
April 15, 2026
Veleno notched an assist and five hits in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Flyers.
ANALYSIS
Veleno has been in and out of the lineup frequently this season. His helper ended a 21-game point drought dating back to his assist in a Jan. 8 game versus the Panthers. He ends the regular season with five points, 52 shots on net, 166 hits, 32 blocked shots and a minus-12 rating over 61 appearances. Veleno will likely continue to be a part-time option in the postseason.
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2025 NHL Game Log
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2025–26 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    12:05
  • Average Power Play TOI:
    0:03
  • Average Short-Handed TOI:
    1:32
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2023–24
13:57
0:54
0:50
2024–25
12:38
0:01
0:31
2024–25
11:57
0:03
0:32
2025–26
12:05
0:03
1:32
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
Veleno saw upticks across the board with 28 points (five on the power play) in 80 contests for the Red Wings last season. However, he also threw the body around less with 108 hits, compared to 152 the year before. Veleno is still yet to see much more than third-line usage, and while he gets some power-play time, there's no obvious path to him serving in a top-six role. As such, any further gains on offense for the 24-year-old center are likely to be minimal. He has his place in some deeper fantasy formats, but the majority of managers don't need to consider Veleno on draft day.
Veleno emerged as a regular for the Red Wings a season ago, appearing in 81 of 82 regular-season games and posting nine goals and 20 points. He added four power-play points and 152 hits. Veleno was viewed as a big-time prospect heading into the 2018 draft, but he slipped to No. 30 overall and has never been able to put it all together since turning pro. Veleno should be a lineup staple for Detroit once again in 2023-24, but there's zero fantasy implications here.
Veleno was essentially a regular for Detroit in 2021-22, playing in 57 of the club's final 58 games, and 66 of 82 overall. His production -- eight goals, 15 points, 123 hits -- was minimal, but Veleno turned just 22 years old in January. Veleno is a big body with a good set of hands and time is definitely on his side, but the 2018 No. 30 overall selection looks like an up-and-down guy at this point. If Veleno is again able to carve out a full-time role with the Red Wings in 2022-23, it will almost certainly be as a bottom-six forward, severely limiting his potential fantasy value.
More Fantasy News
Set to play Thursday
CMontreal Canadiens
April 9, 2026
Veleno (illness) is set to play Thursday against Tampa Bay, per J-F Chaumont of NHL.com.
ANALYSIS
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Not available Tuesday
CMontreal Canadiens
Illness
April 7, 2026
Veleno (illness) won't play Tuesday versus the Panthers, Marc Antoine Godin of Radio Canada reports.
ANALYSIS
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Back at practice
CMontreal Canadiens
March 6, 2026
Veleno (illness) participated in Thursday's practice as an extra forward.
ANALYSIS
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Remains unavailable
CMontreal Canadiens
Illness
March 3, 2026
Veleno (illness) will not be in the lineup against the Sharks on Tuesday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.
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Absent from practice
CMontreal Canadiens
Illness
March 2, 2026
Veleno (illness) didn't participate in Monday's practice, per Eric Engels of Sportsnet.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Joining Habs?
CFree Agent
July 16, 2025
Veleno is working on a deal with Montreal, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Veleno was traded to Seattle from Chicago on June 21 in a swap for Andre Burakovsky before being placed on unconditional waivers to buyout his contract June 29. In 74 regular-season games for the Red Wings and Blackhawks last year, Veleno recorded eight goals on 75 shots while adding nine helpers. With the Habs, the 25-year-old Montreal native figures to slot into a middle-six role and should be capable of getting back over the 20-point threshold.
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