Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Carly has coffee with Joe Veleno, thoughts on Seth Jones and RNH

May 29, 2021, 11:33 PM ET [29 Comments]
Jeremy Laura
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter



Minnesota is out of the playoffs I also had my “Montreal is out” blog locked and loaded. Congrats to the Habs for getting this series to a game 7. I now have to pre write a “Toronto is out” blog. Only one of those two will be released on Sunday, and they will be very different. If the Habs do to the Leafs what Boston did and force them out of the first round, changes are coming. We’ll wait and see who gets out of this one.

Seth Jones and Ryan Nugent Hopkins:
The trade market and free agent market got some interesting news in the past day and a half. Somehow, negotiations in Edmonton with RNH went “sideways”, and Seth Jones has told CBJ he’s not extending. For Columbus, watching another UFA leave without any sort of return has to be unacceptable at this point. They tried to impress Panarin by loading up and he left anyway. Assume Jones will do the same.

Jones is currently making just over 6million. Hitting the market next season would make him (most likely) the top defenseman available. When players leave CBJ, it’s not money. They want to be in a “hockey market” or near a more exciting city. In Jones’s case, I have to wonder if he doesn’t want to go to Colorado. Not sure how they’d make room for him, but if he wants to play for his hometown team, I think they’d make it work. Any team that wants Jones will have to settle for the same answer, unless he agrees to an extension ahead of time. If he already knows where he wants to go, there’s a team that can get him and make it work. (Did Panarin convince him to head to NYR?)

As for RNH, this one is a bit befuddling. He was happy as an oiler just a week ago. He wants to stay and be part of that time. And then, all of a sudden, he doesn’t? Was a dollar amount mentioned that was insulting? Was term a sticking point? Something had to go upside down for it to hit the news the way it has. Holland needs to build a completely different team, and defense needs some attention. Is he leaving space to go after Hamilton? Whatever the case, Edmonton and CBJ both have something the other needs. Columbus needs centers, and Edmonton needs defense. I don’t know if a sign and trade would work, or if Jones would do any sort of extension in oil country.

Personally, though I love both players, I don’t want Yzerman shelling out picks/players/prospects for Jones to have him leave as a UFA. Nugent could probably get more money with a contender if he does hit the market. And, I think he’s got a belly full of “rebuilds”. I don’t blame him.

So, where do you think these players will end up? If Jones leaves CBJ (and it sounds like he will) is it time to blow it up? Free agents just aren’t staying and that is a drag for the team. They have some good pieces and could load up on picks and prospects. We’ll see what happens near the draft.

Finally, on to Veleno. This was another “getting to know you” snippet that Detroit posted a few days back. It’s been my “backup” for a few days in case teams weren’t eliminated. I hope you enjoy it!

Veleno has tremendous upside, to be sure. His struggle in his post junior career has come in maintaining the center position. Inevitably Joe continually returns to the wing. Considered a draft “steal”, there is still a lot to like. This may well be a case where JV locks into playing wing. For Detroit, Yzerman (and by proxy Blashill) expects centers to be 200 ft players. It’s a huge responsibility where, in essence, you’re the third defenseman. Wingers have a little more flexibility. They still need to back check, but will defend closer to the blue line/neutral zone and can be sprung with an outlet pass. Vrana has proven to be “money” in that situation. His breakaway prowess far exceeds anyone else currently on the roster.

For Veleno, my hope is that he works with Glendening and Larkin throughout the summer. Luke became an elite faceoff man by committing his offseason training. Larkin can help Veleno direct his speed into the back check. These two guys are good resources for developing players.

There’s often the thought of drafting centers because they can move to the wing if necessary. Before his major contract deal, Stamkos was being relegated to wing. He fought to be able to play in the middle. Buffalo moved Reinhart to wing, but a return to center this past season saw him thrive at the position. Sometimes it just takes time for it to sink in. For Joe, he just has to continue to skate hard and use his speed to help create. Whether on the wing or up the middle, I’d like to see him be able to grab a roster spot with the big club.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments, enjoy!

Check out my previous blogs:

Minnesota is out of the playoffs

Florida is out of the playoffs

The Penguins are out of the playoffs and need cap space and draft picks.

Yzerman is looking for two lefty D men

Washington was eliminated from the playoffs

St Louis is out, any players of interest?

The internal struggle

Yzerman working in silence

Cholowski has coffee with Carly

Bernier would like an extension, and Berggren has signed his ELC.


Eemil Viro has signed his ELC, but Petruzzelli may walk.

The Yzerman Press Conference

Blashill was extended, and a mock draft has Wings picking a goalie at #6

Roster turnover

Albert Johansson playing for team Sweden

Are you rooting for former Wings Players in the playoffs?

Thanks for a great season

Why Culture matters
Join the Discussion: » 29 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Jeremy Laura
» Some positive vibes from the Griffins, good revenue news with odd caveats
» Wings get 1, but are they done after OT loss to Caps?
» Wings vs. Caps, is this “make or break?” Update - Wings sign Finnie to ELC
» Sandin-Pellikka getting attention, Berggren reassigned
» The game I missed you all saw coming, a big Tuesday Tilt, ELC for Trey?