While the Canadiens have had a very strong start to the season, the team currently sits third in the NHL, but some players could provide more.
One of those players is Joe Veleno, who has had a somewhat rocky start to the season.
What role should #GoHabsGo give Joe Veleno while they wait for Patrik Laine to return?
Pierre McGuire: “He's a center, not a winger”#thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro pic.twitter.com/Vb19q0NoRX
– The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) November 7, 2025
Offensively, his production is lacking. In nine games, he has no points, seven shots and a minus-3 record.
As Pierre McGuire says on The Sick Podcast, Veleno seems uncomfortable playing on the wing at the moment and it shows in his overall performance.
Martin St. Louis' strategy of having two centers play on opposite sides of the fourth line is clear, but Veleno was one for four (25%) yesterday, so there was nothing compelling for him.
In comparison, Jake Evans was much more effective in the faceoff circle, shooting 58.3% (7 of 12) against the Devils.
The problem with a Montreal-born player is that we don't have room for him at center right now.
Evans is already doing what you would expect from Veleno, only better, so placing him at the center of the fourth line is out of the question.
In fact, while Veleno's performance in the faceoff circle has been good since the start of the season at 51.2%, Evans is better at 57.4%.
Also, Olivier Kapanen and Kirby Dach are playing well on their lanes right now, so we're not touching on that.
And do I need to mention Nick Suzuki?
St. Louis will have to find a solution and perhaps shuffle their third and fourth threes to find a suitable seat for Veleno.
A slight shake-up could also help the likes of Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson, who have struggled in recent games.
Let's hope the Habs coach can find a good combination for his offensive line since Patrik Laine isn't expected to return.
After a while
“He really takes the team to heart.”
“To see a player get so emotional after losing in the regular season at this point in the year, it's alarming. It doesn't work.”
First column by Denis Dubé https://t.co/d1 JqsRLPhl
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 8, 2025
– Nice gesture.
With them, for them
With them, for them @fcharlesbruneau https://t.co/FP4T5vGgmI pic.twitter.com/iPMTJlKQHG– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) November 8, 2025
– Bravo!
200 games with us, 200 games in the AHL
200 games with us, 200 games in the AHL
pic.twitter.com/lMH8VOopgo
– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) November 8, 2025
– He won the bet.
Josiah Didier convinced Rockethttps://t.co/dR6LrL7Uvv
– RDS (@RDSca) November 8, 2025
– Sad news.
The pitcher took time to thank the Dodgers and Blue Jays. https://t.co/rHvtnOnn2i
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) November 8, 2025
