Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects available, starting with the 31st and leading up to number one.
Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 12th-ranked prospect, center Joe Veleno.
Joe Veleno
2017–18 Team: Drummondville (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: January 13, 2000
Place of Birth: Montreal, QC
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 193 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 8
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 13
NHL Comparable: Nicklas Backstrom
Any player granted exceptional status by the Canadian Hockey League is likely going to open some eyes. While Veleno has been a very good player in his time playing juniors, he has probably not fully lived up to the exceptional status. Because of this, Veleno’s draft stock has been debated. However, there is no debating what Veleno brings to the table on the ice.
Veleno is a very gifted skater. He has great top-end speed and accelerates well. He uses his skating to his advantage, often times creating space and opportunities with it for himself and his teammates. Veleno is very comfortable skating with the puck and uses this ability to generate offense. Veleno’s skating allows him to be unpredictable, as he can burn a defender to the outside or quickly cut into the middle of the ice.
While Veleno is very much a pass-first player, he does possess a decent shot. He could certainly stand to use it more frequently, which would increase his ability to be an all-around offensive threat, as defenders know he tends to prefer distributing the puck. Veleno needs to add some strength in order to have a more dangerous shot, and needs to quicken his release as well to make his shot become a high-end weapon.
As mentioned, Veleno’s offensive game is largely predicated on his passing ability. Veleno possesses very high-end vision and hockey sense. Veleno is able to read and react to what is happening around him very well. This ability allows Veleno to make the best choice with the puck. Veleno does not mind being patient with the puck to wait out defenders and open up room for his teammates. He can thread the needle with pinpoint passes, often times leading to high-quality scoring chances for his teammates. His elite passing ability is reflected by the 114 assists he has registered in his three years in the QMJHL.
Veleno is a very responsible player defensively. He supports his defenders well and does not cheat up the ice for offensive opportunities. Although not the largest player, Veleno does not mind getting in the dirty areas to get his team possession of the puck. Veleno has a very high compete level, which is reflected in his defensive play. His compete level also allows him to be a good leader on the ice. Veleno was Saint John’s captain before being traded to Drummondville mid-season.
Overall, Veleno is one of the best two-way players available in the draft. He will likely prove to be a pretty safe pick for the team drafting him, even if he does not have a super high ceiling. Veleno will need to get stronger to be able to help clear the front of the net and win board battles at the NHL level. Added strength will also help bring his shot to an NHL level and will give him more stability in his skating. Veleno plays a similar style to newly crowned Stanley Cup champion Nicklas Backstrom in the sense of being an elite playmaker and good defender and having leadership capabilities, though not being a big-time goal scorer.
Implications for the Blackhawks
Veleno is among the more intriguing prospects in the draft because of his CHL exceptional status. While Veleno is certainly not one of the very best prospects of the class, many feel he deserves to be in the top 10. Others feel differently, seeing Veleno as someone who could fall as far as the end of the first round. In reality, Veleno would probably be a reach with the eighth pick, especially considering the quality that will be available when the Hawks are on the clock. Barring a miracle, Veleno will be off the board by the time the Blackhawks pick at 27. So, unless the Hawks move into the 10–20 range, Veleno will not be a Blackhawk.
Timeline
Veleno needs another year to get a bit stronger before making the jump to professional hockey. But, with his very well-rounded game, he should be able to step into an NHL lineup in 2019–20.
Projection
Veleno likely will not reach the level of other CHL exceptional status players John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad and Connor McDavid, who have become franchise cornerstone players in the NHL. However, Veleno should be a nice piece for the team choosing him. He will likely slot in as a second line center who will be a reliable contributor at both ends of the ice for many years to come.
What others are saying
“Veleno’s strongest asset could be his skating. He has breakaway speed and acceleration, excellent agility and edge work and is strong on his skates. More of a playmaker than sniper Veleno does a great job of distributing the puck using his vision, hockey sense and puck skills to set up teammates. Veleno has a good shot but needs to more selfish and take more shots. Veleno has good size and strength and while not a very aggressive player, he isn’t shy to fight for loose pucks and can win puck battles along the boards with his high compete level.”
— Peter Harling/Dobber Prospects
“Veleno has tremendous speed and outstanding acceleration. It is his skating skill that truly gave him a leg up on older competition and earned him the exceptional player status. He is silky smooth on his skates. Veleno has the ability to take a defender wide and cut to the net. He also has the agility and edgework to beat a defender in a one-on-one situation off the rush. Veleno is strong on the puck, and works well down low and in the cycle game at the junior level.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey
“A jack-of-all trades player with a nice tool belt. Great edgework, acceleration, vision and puck-protection skills. The 17-year-old is already a consummate worker in the defensive end and is a very safe selection as he has a pro-level approach.”
— Cam Robinson/Dobber Prospects