montrealgazette.com
Joe Veleno, in his first season with the Canadiens, faces scrutiny despite a recent uptick in performance. While his offensive numbers (1 goal, -10) are underwhelming, coach St. Louis shows confidence by using him on the penalty kill and in overtime. Veleno focuses on defensive responsibility, physicality, and faceoffs, aiming to solidify his identity. After a buyout from Seattle, he initially struggled for ice time, but injuries provided an opportunity. Although targeted by fans after defensive lapses, Veleno’s physicality and penalty-killing are valued by the team as he strives to improve his offensive contributions.
