Of note before the Red Wings play the Pittsburgh Penguins this evening (7:30 PM EDT on Fox Sports Detroit):
- The Free Press’s Helene St. James penned an article about Joe Veleno…
His quickness stands out, as does his ability to make plays in tight areas.
One of the benefits of this exhibition season for the Detroit Red Wings is a chance to judge Joe Veleno at the NHL level. He looked good at the prospects tournament and in the Red-White scrimmage during training camp, setting high expectations entering Wednesday’s preseason game against Pittsburgh at Little Caesars Arena.
“I thought as the camp went along he just got better and better,” coach Jeff Blashill said Wednesday morning. “He really started to show me some real things.
“I always look to see, what’s an elite skill that a player has that’s going to allow that to be transferable to the NHL? For him, I wasn’t sure what it was at first. He’s definitely a good transporter of the puck from one end to the other, but his edges are excellent. I mean he can really create space with his edges and then he makes lots of plays in small areas. Those two things can be extraordinarily important here in the NHL.”
St. James continues, and she posted a video of comments from Blashill and Veleno…
2. DetroitRedWings.com’s Dana Wakiji also wrote an article about Veleno…
Although he’s slated to return to his junior team, the Drummondville Voltigeurs, Veleno will get an opportunity to play in at least a couple of preseason games.
“I think it’s huge for any player to see where they stand at the next level, and it’s free looks,” Blashill said. “Very levels do you get a chance to get free looks, where you come in, you play a little bit and then go back to the level and work on those things you got to work on. Almost no other level can you do that. In other leagues rarely does that happen, so I think it’s an excellent opportunity for these guys and it’s certainly an excellent opportunity for Joe to say ‘How can I be elite and how can I make a huge impact on every game.'”
Veleno will center a line with Michael Rasmussen and Justin Abdelkader against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“For sure it’s a big step from juniors,” Veleno said. “I’m taking everything in, the experience, and learning a lot of things on the ice, off the ice, talking with players, talking with coaches. I’m just embracing all of it, learning from the experience and I think it’s been going great so far. Prospects tournament and coming to main camp, I think it’s been pretty big jump.”
With no weight of expectations on him, Veleno is free to play his own game.
“I think one of my strengths is just working hard, having the puck on my stick and just making plays,” Veleno said. “I’m definitely going to try to do that and use my speed to my advantage and just work hard every shift.”
3. Among the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan’s notes…
Dennis Cholowski was a guy who needed some heft when the Red Wings drafted the defenseman in the first round in 2016.
Two years later, Cholowski has filled out to a sturdy 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, is noticeably thicker across his shoulders, is strong on his skates, and looks poised and confident on the ice.
Cholowski was in the lineup against Pittsburgh, looking to begin work on landing a roster spot for Opening Night.
“Just putting on a little more size and weight gives you more confidence,” said Cholowski. “I have way more confidence this year and I’m more relaxed, and I’m just going to go out and play and see what happens. I thought I played well in the prospects tournament, so if I just keeping do that, and doing it here, I’ll be fine.”
Cholowski was looking forward to playing at Little Caesars Arena, which he did for a few games last year in the preseason.
“Being here and playing on home ice, it’s pretty cool,” Cholowski said.
Update: WXYZ’s Brad Galli posted a short clip of Veleno as well:
I have no idea that Veleno was pegged at # 5 before his draft and fell to # 30. He is playing some strong hockey for an 18 year old