3. Joe Veleno, C (1-30, 2018)
Stats (Saint John Sea Dogs/Drummondville Voltigeurs, QMJHL): 64 gp, 22 g, 57 a, 79 p, 5 PPG (31 A), 3 SHG (1 A), 3 GWG, 201 SOG, 46.3 FO%, 1.23 pts/g (10 pgp, 5 g, 6 a, 11 p, 1 PPG (4 A), 2 GWG, 30 SOG, 42.3 FO%, 1.10 pts/g)
Joe Veleno fell quite a ways down the draft list from the preseason. He was one of the best centers available in the 2018 draft heading into the 2017 season, but fell all the way to 30 in the actual draft.
The Detroit Red Wings were likely incredibly happy that they grabbed Veleno at 30, even if they were looking for other positions of need. A center as talented as Veleno doesn’t fall to 30th very often.
He’s not bound for a first line center role. But that’s likely why the Red Wings took the next guy on the list as high as they did. If Veleno can become an excellent two-way second line center, then the Detroit Red Wings got bang for their buck. That’s exactly what they need out of Veleno, and that’s exactly what he can deliver.
Veleno was one of the best players in the QMJHL this past season. He was 10th in scoring, tied for 50th in goal scoring, tied for third in assists, and tied for 15th in points per game. In the playoffs, he was tied for 18th in points per game, 18th in goal scoring, and 28th in scoring. He needs to get better at shot production (averaging 3.14 shots per game) and he needs to work on his shot (just 22 goals, a career high). But he’s an elite level playmaker and can play in his own zone. That’s worth a lot.