Newly acquired Canadiens forward sends bold message to Martin St. Louis
Photo credit: Jess Starr / Hockey Writers
A former Detroit Red Wings forward recently acquired by the Montreal Canadiens sent a bold message to new head coach Martin St. Louis in an interview.
After returning to the playoffs for the first time since losing in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021 last season, the Montreal Canadiens appeared poised for big things in the offseason.
That's exactly what happened when they acquired New York Islanders star defenseman Noah Dobson, St. Louis Blues promising forward Zachary Bolduc, and former Red Wings first-round pick Joe Veleno.
With all these great additions, the Canadiens are poised to have a great season next year, despite many key players leaving the team.
Indeed, many penalty-killing specialists like Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, and David Savard left the team-Dvorak and Armia in free agency, and Savard to retirement.
They all left important holes in the lineup, but according to former Wings forward Veleno, that shouldn't be a problem, as he plans on playing a defensive role next year.
A new role for Veleno in Montreal next season: the forward sent a bold message to new coach Marty St. Louis
During a recent interview, Veleno stated that he would take pride in performing well defensively but also wants to put up points every now and then.
Here's what he said:
"I now take a lot of pride in playing a more defensive style.
You watch the playoffs, and everyone needs to be able to play responsibly on defense.
What I want to be is a complete player, a guy who can be defensively responsible while putting up points from time to time."
You watch the playoffs, and everyone needs to be able to play responsibly on defense.
What I want to be is a complete player, a guy who can be defensively responsible while putting up points from time to time."
For a player who struggled offensively over the past years, becoming a defensive player could be Veleno's only shot at remaining in the NHL.
Veleno, 25, scored 17 points in 74 games last season with the Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 28 | 79 ANSWERS Newly acquired Canadiens forward sends bold message to Martin St. Louis Do you think Joe Veleno will revive his career with the Montreal Canadiens next season? | ||
| Yes | 32 | 40.5 % |
| No | 47 | 59.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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