Challenging Transitions for Former Red Wings Players
Two former players from the Detroit Red Wings, Joe Veleno and Vladimir Tarasenko, are finding themselves in challenging positions with their new NHL teams, disappointing those who hoped for an impactful transition.
Joe Veleno’s Struggles
After being placed on unconditional waivers by the Seattle Kraken and subsequently bought out, Joe Veleno signed with the Montreal Canadiens during the offseason. His time with the Red Wings came to an end on March 7 when he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Petr Mrazek and forward Craig Smith. However, he was later moved again, ending up with the Kraken on June 21, traded for forward André Burakovsky.
Unfortunately, Veleno’s return to his home province of Quebec with the Canadiens has not been productive; in his first 13 games, he has failed to score any points. This lack of scoring isn’t new for him, as he had a similarly rocky start last season, managing just a single assist in his initial 11 games before finally scoring his first goal on November 6 against the Blackhawks.
Vladimir Tarasenko’s Performance
On the other hand, Vladimir Tarasenko, a seasoned forward with two Stanley Cup victories under his belt, was traded from the Red Wings to the Minnesota Wild on June 30 after a single unremarkable season in Detroit. Following his acquisition by the Red Wings in 2024, shortly after he helped the Florida Panthers capture the Stanley Cup, expectations for Tarasenko were high. However, during his only season with Detroit, he recorded merely 11 goals and 22 assists in 80 games.
Currently, he has netted only two goals in his first 18 games with Minnesota, further deepening the concerns regarding his performance.
Future Prospects
Both players face the possibility of becoming unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, adding an additional layer of pressure as they seek to revitalize their careers. Veleno was originally drafted in the first round (30th overall) during the 2018 NHL Draft, a selection resulting from the Red Wings’ trade with the Vegas Golden Knights involving forward Tomas Tatar.
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