Why haven’t the Detroit Red Wings re-signed Joe Veleno?

As we near the start of training camp in Traverse City, Michigan, the Detroit Red Wings have one player that is not yet re-signed for the upcoming season.

Center Joe Veleno is their only player without a contract for the 2023-2024 season and one is starting to wonder what the hold-up is. Do the Detroit Red Wings re-sign Veleno?

Veleno is currently a RFA but the hope is he will re-sign with the Red Wings. Drafted by Detroit with the 30th pick of the first round in the 2018 NHL Draft, the Red Wings got a steal based on his play and point totals in the QMJHL.

There, he was an offensive force and rang up some impressive numbers offensively. With Detroit, the offense has yet to come in that same fashion but he has turned into one of the best two-way forwards on the Red Wings.

The Detroit Red Wings need to get Joe Veleno signed for next year soon.

It is hard to believe that Veleno has not earned a new contract with the way he has developed and transitioned into a better overall forward. Veleno’s last contract was a three-year deal worth $2.682, an AAV of $894,167.

He has put in the work since his rookie season gaining more strength, working on his speed, and being better defensively.

His hard work has paid off as he set career highs in goals, assists, points, and penalty minutes last season. Veleno had nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points and 30 penalty minutes.

This may not seem like a lot but early in Veleno’s career he did not get a lot of ice time and now he is getting that.

As his career progressed, he was given more ice time and more responsibility, giving him more time to showcase his skills.

His career totals for the Detroit Red Wings are 18 goals plus 18 assists for 36 points and 56 penalty minutes in 152 games.

So what is the reason he has not re-signed? This could be a couple of factors. The Red Wings may have no timetable to re-sign him as long as he is re-signed by the season opener.

There is also the chance that they are too far apart as Veleno is exploring other options. General manager Steve Yzerman has been known to have a poker face and does not tell the smallest detail so we may have to wait to see if he does re-sign before game one.

With his progression, Veleno has turned into one of the bright, young forwards that Detroit can build around for the future. He has earned a new contract.

The Red Wings have a projected cap space of $7,375, 277 so money is not the issue. Veleno could be had on a two-year deal with an AAV of $2 million and Detroit would still have money to spend.

This deal could work for both parties involved as Veleno has developed into an important piece of the Red Wings’ core.