You keep saying Veleno needs to earn top 6 minutes in the NHL or will be sent to GR, but at the same time agreed being a 3rd liner is most likely his landing spot; being able to step up for injuries.
Why does he need to lock in top 6 minutes now if he will never reach that peak for a career?
- DRW1991
That’s a fantastic question. Part of it lies in his deficiencies. The ability to have 20 minutes a night in GR as opposed to 10 or less in Detroit gives him a shot to play in every situation. He can be on first PP, PK, top line etc. i liken it to a pilots license a bit. Logging hours in your craft makes you better. Part of the development is finding confidence. Yes, at present I’d have him at best a 3rd line wing. If he loses confidence he’ll fall off. Get him to be a dominant presence in the AHL. The mental component of that mindset is so important. Detroit is going to have those brutal stretches again and it’s tough to “grow” in that environment. Confidence can help develop skills. Then, when you’re called up due to injury you can try again to take someone’s job. Force them to keep you on the roster. Log the big minutes. Not so much this year, but Yzerman and co have talked about dominating at each level. Joe hasn’t done that. Last year he was bounced down in the SHL. Kept getting moved to wing and just couldn’t take meaningful minutes. I’ve appreciated Yzerman’s handling. Joe is still young, but next year he may be subject to waivers. This is his opportunity to prove that he can’t learn any more at the AHL level. He hasn’t done that yet.
