Should The Habs Bring Up A Replacement for Veleno?
The majority of the Montreal Canadiens' forwards have performed well in their roles since Patrik Laine suffered a long-term sports hernia injury after the sixth game of the season. However, Joe Veleno’s presence on any line has lowered that line’s effectiveness.
There is growing discussion about whether the Canadiens should promote a player like Lucas Condotta, who has brief NHL experience, or Jared Davidson from the Laval Rocket. One fan even joked about sneaking a new player into the lineup disguised as Veleno:
“Could it be time to bring up someone like Lucas Condotta (who has had a cup of coffee in the league) or Jared Davidson up from the Laval Rocket? Are we sure we can’t just sneak this guy into the lineup if we have him wear Veleno’s gear?” — Matt Drake (@DrakeMT), November 8, 2025
The Canadiens are reaching a point where an upgrade on Veleno is needed. When he played alongside Kirby Dach and Zack Bolduc, he limited their offensive output. Veleno’s skills haven’t translated well from the QMJHL to the NHL level, forcing him into a more defensive role.
His skill level might suit a fourth-line role, but that position usually requires strong work ethic and physical forechecking—traits Veleno has not consistently shown. Typically, a fourth-liner plays a hard-nosed game rather than focusing on finesse, which does not align with Veleno’s style.
Author’s summary: The Canadiens should consider promoting a more effective forward to replace Veleno, whose skill set and work ethic have not met NHL demands.