NHL Prospect Profile: Joseph Veleno

Statistics

Scout Quotes

Multi-purpose center with quickness and a sharp hockey mind who finally will get his chance to lead Saint John after spending the last two years as a depth player. Veleno — the top pick in the 2015 QMJHL draft — was Canada’s critical piece in its recent under-18 Ivan Hlinka championship, where he was the team’s leading scorer and centered the top line. Although Veleno has an arsenal of weapons to beat you, he’s at his best when he is creating chances for his linemates via deadly accurate passes or plays off the rush. Speed is an important part of Venelo’s game, but he also slows the game down and is more than adept at carving up static defense schemes with quick cross-ice passes or slick maneuvers that present him with open lanes to the net. His positioning, quick stick and anticipation create turnovers, and he’s far less reactionary than most teenage pivots in that he understands the importance of incorporating all teammates during puck possession. – The Draft Analyst

Veleno may not project as a top line, franchise centre at the next level. However, he does have the potential to be an outstanding number two centre, who brings a 200-foot game and can play all situations as well as match-up against the other team’s best players. This would still make Veleno very valuable, and a core piece going forward. – Last Word on Hockey

AJ’s Thoughts

Veleno is a fun kid to watch more often than not. I’ll start with the downsides here because there aren’t many of them and it won’t take very long. Veleno is definitely a guy who has left me wanting more from him at times. His combination of speed, skill, and intelligence is excellent but there are games where he’s not having much of an impact and he seems to mentally drift elsewhere. He’s not always engaged in the action on nights when he’s not at his best and that’a certainly a concern.

Veleno also isn’t a very high-end offensive talent, which makes the prospect of drafting him in the top half of the first round challenging. I don’t see a guy who is going to put up 70+ points in the NHL. I think he’s more of a 50-point player who can provide great leadership and sound two-way play. In reality, he’s a guy I think with a higher chance to anchor your top PK unit instead of your top PP unit.

He’s got plenty of offense in him, it’s simply not game-breaking talent. He is a solid playmaker who generates a lot of offense for his line in general. For a player criticized at times for being too unselfish, he still put 200 shots on goal last season. He plays the game at a high speed but can slow it down when he needs to, another example of his high hockey IQ at work. He’s not a special player from a skills standpoint but his polish and maturity are certainly special for his age and he’s a guy with a very bright future ahead of him.

Veleno is a player who will thrive in a situation where he’s playing Robin to a superstar’s Batman.

Highlights

Avalanche Fit

Given my Robin-Batman comparison at the end of my thoughts above, it’s no surprise I believe Veleno to be a perfect for the Avalanche. If he somehow drops to 16, the Avalanche should be sprinting up to the stage to call Veleno’s name. His two-way ability fills an organizational need but his blazing skating and high character fit the identity Colorado has been cultivating for the last several years.

He’s a mature young man with a ton of polish on him already thanks to his exposure after being granted exceptional status in the Q. He would go back to the Q for one more year before I think making the leap to the Avalanche in his D+2 year. He would solve the long-term hole that exists at 2C and if his offense never quite translates, he’s a safe bet to be a high-end 3C at the very worst. This is not a kid I see with very much bust potential at all.

Rankings

#23 Hockey Prospect
#14 Future Considerations
#9 McKeen’s Hockey