The Rangers have signed 26-year old center Joe Veleno to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million. (Lavioe)
Veleno had two goals and three assists in 61 games last season for Montreal. He had one assist in nine playoff games last season along with 20 hits and 61% on faceoffs.
In his career he has 40 goals and 46 assists in 367 games.
He was the 30th overall pick in 2018 by Detroit.
Adam Rotter: When looking at the list of players who weren’t qualified, Veleno popped out but mostly because of his past as a first round pick and prospect that was talked about being a big part of Detroit’s revival. That didn’t happen in Detroit, for Veleno or the team, but it’s a good low risk to take for the Rangers. He had 12 goals in 2023-24 and only 10 goals total since, but he is likely to be a fourth-line center option. He brings some physicality, was 51.6% on faceoffs last season and speed as NHL Edge had him in the 90th percentile for speed.
He isn’t going to produce offense like he did as a junior player but he does seem capable of popping in 10-12 goals if he finds a groove on a nice fourth line. This is the kind of move they should continue to try and make, youngish, cheap and someone who could be part of things if he plays well.