Jeremy Laura: Veleno steps up with goal, assist as Detroit wins 4-2 over Pittsburgh

Jeremy Laura: Veleno steps up with goal, assist as Detroit wins 4-2 over Pittsburgh
- Jeremy Laura

So much more enjoyable to watch, it’s almost like watching real hockey. I would really like to see a way for Veleno, Raymond and Ryan to make the team, but we might need to wait until November.

So much more enjoyable to watch, it’s almost like watching real hockey. I would really like to see a way for Veleno, Raymond and Ryan to make the team, but we might need to wait until November.
- Goalie Dad

Veleno was outstanding so many times tonight. I think injuries will push him up and he may grab a spot and hold on if he can compete like that.

So much more enjoyable to watch, it’s almost like watching real hockey. I would really like to see a way for Veleno, Raymond and Ryan to make the team, but we might need to wait until November.
- Goalie Dad

As much as I like Ryan... I'd say Veleno and Raymond are the priority at this point in time.

NHL coach Bob Hartley had a saying: "old players get older... young players get better". I think that certainly applies to this team right now. Let the kids play IMO. I'm really hoping Veleno will break through and take a spot this year in Detroit. I think his time has come. He was outstanding tonight.

As much as I like Ryan... I'd say Veleno and Raymond are the priority at this point in time.

NHL coach Bob Hartley had a saying: "old players get older... young players get better". I think that certainly applies to this team right now. Let the kids play IMO. I'm really hoping Veleno will break through and take a spot this year in Detroit. I think his time has come. He was outstanding tonight.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Totally agree with the Hartley quote, I was thinking Ryan instead of Namestnikov or Gagne.

As much as I like Ryan... I'd say Veleno and Raymond are the priority at this point in time.

NHL coach Bob Hartley had a saying: "old players get older... young players get better". I think that certainly applies to this team right now. Let the kids play IMO. I'm really hoping Veleno will break through and take a spot this year in Detroit. I think his time has come. He was outstanding tonight.
- Vladdie_Kon1

He was everywhere, and I’d love to see him keep playing that hard up here. He’s faster and stronger and if it’s between him and Ryan for the same spot, that’s got to be a no brainer at this point

Am I the only one who would rather see Ryan take a spot over Namestnikov?

I agree about the kids being a priority, but I have always agreed that a good team needs a couple of vets in key spots.

I’ve also been wondering if a new (obviously different) version of a 2 kids and a goat 3rd line wouldn’t be a bad idea. I’ve been wondering what a 3rd line of Ras/Veleno/Ryan would look like

Am I the only one who would rather see Ryan take a spot over Namestnikov?

I agree about the kids being a priority, but I have always agreed that a good team needs a couple of vets in key spots.

I’ve also been wondering if a new (obviously different) version of a 2 kids and a goat 3rd line wouldn’t be a bad idea. I’ve been wondering what a 3rd line of Ras/Veleno/Ryan would look
like
- Bren4Wings

I was thinking Ras/Veleno/Ernie that would be a pretty heavy line with some deceiving speed.

Nice to see Red Uniforms headed to the net!

Am I the only one who would rather see Ryan take a spot over Namestnikov?

I agree about the kids being a priority, but I have always agreed that a good team needs a couple of vets in key spots.

I’ve also been wondering if a new (obviously different) version of a 2 kids and a goat 3rd line wouldn’t be a bad idea. I’ve been wondering what a 3rd line of Ras/Veleno/Ryan would look like
- Bren4Wings

That's a tough call. Namestnikov brings a bit more physicality to the game, Ryan (and believe me I LOVE me some Bobby Ryan...character ALL day long, exactly the guy to be in the shed...) has more finesse. Ryan's also a LOT more fragile. You hit the nail on the head in that we have to have some wiley vets, good character guys, smart players who've been around the block and can mentor the kids. We see this in each of the games thus far, Raymond talking to Larkin, Leddy camped next to Mo Sides. That truly is where development takes place, if you ask me.

Veleno has looked like he's about 90% ready for an NHL spot. He was great last night. Amazing development and maturity. I'm not 100% sold on him being in the line-up next week, but I think he'll be there. VERY soon.

I actually like your 3d line! Great speed with Veleno, Ryan can keep up, Ras crashing the net, Mo Sides & Leddy on the points......could be a very intimidating line-up!!

Watched the game last night, really saw some deal of what we saw last year: hectic, disjointed, lots of errant passes, too many passes, too much ignoring the shot. Cuts need to be made and the systems need to be hammered into the starting 23. It's past time for cuts. Most other teams are down to 25-30, with the overage being those on the cusp. IF we are to improve, the systems have to be executed by rote memory, needs to be sheer habit. Right now there are too many AHL-bound kids clogging up this process.

That being said, I saw Simon behind the bench getting a look at personnel. This is a smart move, haven't seen any other teams do that this year. Gives him a good view of what's coming his way. I know this sounds counter to what I said above. I like Simon being there last night, but that should've been done 2 or 3 games ago. Thankfully, I'm not the GM or y'all would run me outta town on a rail!!!

Veleno was hot last night. Mo got a bit of an attitude!!! Amazing to see a KID taking on the role he has. That maturity, the drive to excel, the knowledge that he has the tools but needs to work harder - self-awareness. Raymond was ok. Bert took a bit of time to get into his groove, but it felt like, by the 3d, he was back in form. I think it's going to be a very short walk for him to be back to what he was before the surgery (if not a bit better).

Still too many errant passes. That goes back to what I sad above, if you ask me. There's ONE game left to set up the systems. PP entry looked off again. Almost like they abandoned what Tanguay put in place. If you notice, the PP is faltering and I feel it's in direct correlation to the switch back to old, bad habits.

Gagner and Namestnikov bring more versatility than Ryan. Veleno and Raymond are NHL ready. There’s no good reason to sign Ryan at this point unless he’s willing to spend time in GR and wait for an opportunity to get called up.

Could they sign Ryan on a two-way contract to avoid an initial waiver claim? Meaning would the Wings be able to send him down at the beginning of the season bypassing waivers but be subject to them if sent down later after a call-up?

Could they sign Ryan on a two-way contract to avoid an initial waiver claim? Meaning would the Wings be able to send him down at the beginning of the season bypassing waivers but be subject to them if sent down later after a call-up?
- HenryHockey

Nobody is claiming him. He’s free to sign anywhere and nobody has offered him a contract. A 2 way also has nothing to do with waiver eligibility.

Nobody is claiming him. He’s free to sign anywhere and nobody has offered him a contract. A 2 way also has nothing to do with waiver eligibility.
- Feds91Stammer

I thought he was on a PTO, so waivers aren't even on the table.

To clarify:

Ryan is on a PTO, which means he has no contract and anyone can sign him at any time -- Detroit or otherwise.

If does sign a contract -- any contract -- with Detroit, he would need to clear waivers to be reassigned to the Griffins. One-way, two-way, league minimum, doesn't matter. Waiver exemption eligibility is determined strictly by a combination of age when signing an ELC and NHL experience; the type of contract is irrelevant.

EDIT:

I think a few reasons that some confusion persists about this topic:

- I don't play hockey video games, but apparently the EA games did (or maybe still do?) use one-way / two-way contract language to determine waiver eligibility. That's not how it works in real life.

- Under the 2005-2013 CBA there used to be something called "re-entry waivers," in which non-exempt players needed to clear again before being promoted back to the NHL. (If they were claimed, the original team would be on the hook for half the cap hit.) The only way to bypass re-entry waivers was to have a player on a 2-way contract that paid them $105,000 or less in the minors. The Wings did this for Kirk Maltby's last contract to avoid getting screwed on re-entry waivers, though ultimately he ended up just retiring and taking a front office job instead of starting the season in GR.

I would rather have Ryan over Gagner personally. Ryan is way better and Gagner isn't good enough at center to make up for that.

I would rather have Ryan over Gagner personally. Ryan is way better and Gagner isn't good enough at center to make up for that.
- dcz28

Gagner can play center and as of now is the 2nd best pk forward after Namestnikov.

Gagner can play center and as of now is the 2nd best pk forward after Namestnikov.
- Feds91Stammer

It is kinda looking that Ryan will be out of the picture at this point, and if signed at league minimum, will be sent down to GR. I wonder if he is up to that?

It is kinda looking that Ryan will be out of the picture at this point, and if signed at league minimum, will be sent down to GR. I wonder if he is up to that?
- HenryHockey

Also depends on if they go 13 or 14 forwards. Does Lindstrom get waived? Rowney? Stephens?

Also depends on if they go 13 or 14 forwards. Does Lindstrom get waived? Rowney? Stephens?
- Feds91Stammer

Lindstrom won't get waived, we just protected him. Rowney would be gone first I would think.

I was thinking Ras/Veleno/Ernie that would be a pretty heavy line with some deceiving speed.
- Goalie Dad

I was going to add that as a 2nd option. It’s not necessarily 2kids and a goat. But I like it better than Namestnikov in there.

I agree with others, as much as I like him, I don’t see how Ryan gets signed at this point. Too many others already signed and fighting for a spot.

IF Raymond and Veleno stay up looking at something along the lines of:

Bert / Larkin / Zadina
Suter/ Fabbri / Raymond
Veleno / Ras / Erne
Leaving the 4th made up with a combo of:
Gagne / Namestnikov/ Stephens / Rowney / Smith

A big thanks to all of you. This is one of the best back and forth sections I’ve seen in a while. Good stuff

Lindstrom won't get waived, we just protected him. Rowney would be gone first I would think.
- DRW1991

Agreed which probably means keeping 8D with Oesterle. So say Rowney in GR and Vrana on IR you have 1 spot for Veleno or Ryan assuming Raymond is on the team.

I was going to add that as a 2nd option. It’s not necessarily 2kids and a goat. But I like it better than Namestnikov in there.

I agree with others, as much as I like him, I don’t see how Ryan gets signed at this point. Too many others already signed and fighting for a spot.

IF Raymond and Veleno stay up looking at something along the lines of:

Bert / Larkin / Zadina
Suter/ Fabbri / Raymond
Veleno / Ras / Erne
Leaving the 4th made up with a combo of:
Gagne / Namestnikov/ Stephens / Rowney / Smith
- Bren4Wings

I would probably prefer

Zadina - Larkin - Raymond
Bertuzzi - Suter - Fabbri
Namestnikov - Veleno - Gagner
Smith - Rasmussen - Erne