Detroit Red Wings
Veleno Admits He ‘Took A Step Back’ in Final Red Wings Season
Plans to play with chip on his shoulder in Montreal
Former Detroit Red Wings center Joe Veleno isn’t out there trying to sugarcoat things. He’s not seeking to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.
You saw it. He knows it.
His last season with the Red Wings certainly wasn’t up to snuff.
“My year last year, I felt like I had a lot more to give and took a little bit of a step backwards,” Veleno frankly admitted in an appearance on the Sick Podcast with host Tony Marinaro.
Joe Veleno is ready to make the most of his opportunity with the #GoHabsGo:
"I have no doubt that I'll come out strong this year and kind of play with a chip on my shoulder and prove again that I can get back to my game and even get better at it"#thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro pic.twitter.com/IqCk85qASv
— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) July 17, 2025
Coming off a career-high 12-goal campaign, the Red Wings would ink Veleno to a two-year, $4.55 million contract. Slumping to eight goals and 17 points, he’d be shuttled off to Chicago at the NHL trade deadline and then Seattle during the offseason. The Kraken made the decision to buy out the last year of Veleno’s contract.
A UFA, he’d sign a one-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens worth $900.000.
Former Red Wings Forward Seeking Redemption
Veleno holds no grudge against the team that selected him 30th overall in the 2018 NHL entry draft. He’s blaming no one but himself for the off-year that he just endured.
At the same time, he’s counting on no one other than himself to be the one to get his career back on the right track.
Pen to paper! The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a one-year, one-way contract with forward Joe Veleno.
News release ↓ #GoHabsGo | Montblanc Boutique Montréalhttps://t.co/CUE2zccT15
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 16, 2025
“I’ve reflected and started working out a lot earlier than I usually would,” Veleno said. And I’m just excited that this opportunity was presented to me.
“I have no doubt that I’ll come out strong this year and kind of play with a chip on my shoulder and prove again that I can get back to my game and even get better at it.
“At the end of the day, I just look at it as an opportunity for me to play. For me to prove myself again.”
