Dallas Stars 2018 Draft Profile: Center Joe Veleno

With the 2018 NHL Draft rapidly approaching, it’s a good time to look at draft prospects. And with the Dallas Stars picking at no. 13, there is a wide range of potential candidates available. Today, we look at center Joe Veleno.

The 2018 NHL Entry is just eight days away from kicking off at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Between now and then, all 31 NHL teams have a lot of work to do and plenty of decisions to make. That includes the Dallas Stars.

The 2018 Draft offers the Stars a unique opportunity. And no, it doesn’t have to do with the fans that will be in attendance (though that is important nonetheless). What the draft offers Dallas this year is a chance to take a first step in righting their wrongs. What wrongs, you might ask? The wrongs that are associated with poor drafting in the first round over the past ten years or so.

But let’s focus on the Jim Nill era specifically. Since taking over as GM in 2013, Nill has been responsible for seven first-round draft picks. He’s drafted three wingers, one center, two defensemen, and one goaltender.

It may seem pretty balanced, but when you take a deeper look, you can quickly see the problems.

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Of those seven picks, only one has played in more than 60 games at the NHL level. That was Valeri Nichushkin, who spent the past two seasons in Russia and hasn’t played in an NHL game since May 11, 2016.

A first round pick is supposed to either be an immediate or “knocking on the door” prospect that is ready to take on the NHL. It doesn’t matter whether they are no. 1 or no. 31. The first round is supposed to contain surefire picks that are ready to play professional hockey sooner rather than later.

So, this year needs to be a lock. The Dallas Stars will pick 13th (barring any trades or movement) in the first round on Friday, June 22.

But who should they pick to make sure they maximize the potential of the pick? Well, let’s take a look at a few candidates.

First up, let’s check on center Joe Veleno.

Joe Veleno, Center

Height: 6’1

Weight: 194 lb.

Current team: Drummondville Voltiguers (QMJHL)

Before we dive into prospect profiles over the next week, let’s make one thing clear: the Dallas Stars need center depth. Not just in the NHL, but throughout the entire organization. Three centers (only two of which are still with the organization) in the last ten first rounds is not a recipe for success. After all, it’s one of the most important positions on the ice.

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That’s where Joe Veleno (along with a few other options) could step in to help.

Veleno is an 18-year-old center with good size and impressive speed. He was the former no. 1 overall pick in the QMJHL draft in 2015 when he was only 15 years old. He is the only player ever to be granted exceptional status to play in the QMJHL at that age.

Veleno started his QMJHL career with the Saint John’s Sea Dogs in 2015-16 and tallied 13 goals and 43 points in 62 games during his rookie year. He also notched six goals and seven points in 17 playoff games that year.

This past season, however, Veleno found himself with a change of scenery midseason. After skating in 31 games and tallying six goals and 31 points as captain of the Saint John’s squad, he was traded to Drummondville. Upon arriving, his numbers spiked sharply. Veleno finished his 33-game showing with the Voltigeurs with 16 goals and 48 points. He followed it up with five goals and 11 points in 10 playoff games.

It’s clear from his play that he is more of a setup center, though he can still find the back of the net when needed. He’s an offensive spark plug and can jumpstart chances for his team, something the Stars need in their depth of centers.

The center can break down the opposition in a number of ways with his skills. If he needs to take the puck into the zone himself, his speed and puck control are top-of-the-line. But he thrives on making plays to his teammates using his vision and handling skills.

Another big plus is his commitment to both ends of the ice. He is a strong contributor in the defensive zone and is insistent on hounding the puck carrier in an attempt to steal it away and break out on an offensive rush in the other direction. Veleno is solid on the forecheck also, which makes him a valuable option for the penalty kill.

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Veleno puts his nose to the grindstone whenever he’s on the ice and gives his all. He’s rarely playing out of position and doesn’t put himself in a bad situation.

But there are some downsides, especially when matching him to the Dallas Stars.

First off, it’s clear that Veleno is more of a playmaking center than a scoring center. Do the Stars take a chance on him rather than go for a center that can put up 30+ goals in a season? After all, Tyler Seguin was the only Dallas center to surpass 17 goals this past season. Would it be wiser for the Stars to look for a center that makes a living on putting the puck in the back of the net?

Another question is his face-off percentage. One of the most important parts of the job of a center is winning face-offs. This past season, Veleno only won 46 percent of his draws.

"“No one can argue with his hockey IQ, sense, composure and poise, or his commitment to being a 200 foot centre. He displays a good strong skating stride, and two step quickness at times. He’s got the size to compete and will. Reads the ice like a vet, and can pass off and exchange it smoothly. Fearless and tough, he usually keeps an even keel, but is not going to be a intimidated. At this point, is more of an offensive generator than high end scorer.” –Bill Placzek via DraftSite.com"

Placzek also called him the “biggest wild card of the draft.” That has to do solely with the question as to whether or not he can shed the “setup center” title and mold into a more prolific scoring center as well.

But still, it’s hard to argue that Veleno’s speed, passing abilities, and two-way strength wouldn’t be good adds to the Dallas Stars organization.

He’s got the tools to be a regular NHL center and a darn good one at that. But are his questionable scoring abilities a cause for concern? We’ll see what the Stars and the rest of the NHL think on June 22.

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But still, Veleno seems ready to make an immediate impact as a multipurpose center. He’d definitely be an asset to the Stars. Will he be the lucky no. 13 pick?