Canadiens Add Grit and Depth with One-Year Deal for Joe Veleno
Today, there’s a buzz around the Bell Centre as the Montreal Canadiens have officially signed forward Joe Veleno to a one-year, one-way contract. It’s not just a simple signing—it’s a homecoming and a potential spark for both the player and the team heading into the 2025-26 NHL season.
Veleno, a 25-year-old Montreal native, has had a whirlwind of a year. He split the 2024-25 season between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks, putting up a combined 17 points in 74 games, with eight goals and nine assists. His season took a turn when he was traded to Chicago at the trade deadline. There, he found a bit more rhythm, adding seven points in 18 games. While those aren't superstar numbers, they reflect a reliable, gritty forward who knows how to fit into different systems.
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This deal brings Veleno back to the city where it all started for him. Drafted 30th overall by Detroit in 2018, he’s appeared in over 300 NHL games since making his debut in 2020-21. He’s recorded 38 goals and 43 assists over that stretch, along with 98 penalty minutes, building a reputation as a two-way center who can chip in offensively while bringing some physical presence. His best season came in 2023-24, when he notched 12 goals and 28 points—career highs that show there’s still potential to tap into.
There’s an added twist to this story. After being traded to the Seattle Kraken in June and then bought out just days later, Veleno found himself as a free agent. That opened the door for the Canadiens, and GM Kent Hughes didn’t hesitate. A one-year deal is a low-risk, high-upside move for a team still shaping its identity in a competitive Atlantic Division.
This signing makes sense on multiple levels. For Montreal, it’s about depth, versatility, and local pride. For Veleno, it’s a shot at proving he belongs—not just in the league, but in a lineup that values hustle and development. He brings NHL experience, a strong work ethic, and familiarity with pressure-packed environments, having represented Canada and taken home a gold medal at the 2023 World Championship.
This move isn’t flashy, but it’s smart. Veleno is the kind of player who can quietly become a key contributor. With a full camp ahead of him, the chance to earn a more significant role, and the motivation of playing in his hometown, Joe Veleno’s next chapter with the Canadiens could be his most important yet.
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