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 has consistently lowered the efficiency of any line he's played on.
"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 may need to add a new forward who can offer an upgrade over Veleno. When playing alongside Kirby Dach and Zack Bolduc, Veleno held back the line offensively. His skill set did not fully translate from the QJMHL to the professional level, forcing him into a more defensive role.
Although Veleno’s abilities could suit a fourth-line role, he seems to lack the necessary work ethic for such a position. Typically, a fourth-liner is expected to play a tough, hard-nosed forechecking game rather than a finesse style, which does not align with Veleno’s style.
Summary
The Montreal Canadiens might benefit from promoting a forward like Lucas Condotta or Jared Davidson to replace Joe Veleno, whose skill set and work ethic have limited his effectiveness in a defensive fourth-line role.