Joe Veleno News

Veleno exited Sunday's game with a lower-body injury and will remain sidelined for at least a week, beginning with Tuesday's game against the New York Islanders. The 26-year-old forward is averaging 11:37 time-on-ice and has zero points through four games this season.

Veleno exited Sunday's game with a lower-body injury and will remain sidelined when the Rangers return to action on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. The 26-year-old forward is averaging 11:37 time-on-ice and has zero points through four games this season.

Veleno was a first-round pick, 30th overall, of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, but he has failed to live up to that billing, settling into a bottom-six defensive role. The 26-year-old Montreal native spent the 2025-26 season with his hometown Canadiens, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 61 games.

Oliver Kapanen is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday in Game Three, allowing Veleno to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Veleno is averaging 9:40 time-on-ice, recording 15 hits and one assist in six games this postseason.

It's unclear if Veleno is out with an undisclosed injury or is simply a healthy scratch. Veleno has zero goals and one assist in six games this post-season. Oliver Kapanen will draw into the lineup in his place.

Brendan Gallagher will be a healthy scratch in Game One against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing Veleno to enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Veleno has not played in nearly three weeks. He had five points (2G / 3A) in 61 games this season.

Veleno was a healthy scratch for Montreal's previous contest but will draw back into the lineup for their final game of the season on Tuesday in Philadelphia. The 26-year-old has struggled to produce in a bottom-six role in his first season in Montreal, with just two goals, four points and a -12 plus/minus in 60 games played.

Zack Bolduc will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Veleno to re-enter Montreal's lineup. The 26-year-old Veleno is averaging 12:07 time-on-ice, recording just four points (2G / 2A) and a -12 plus/minus in 58 games.

Veleno was a surprise scratch along with Brendan Gallagher on Tuesday night, with the Habs not announcing their absence prior to warmups. Kirby Dach and Alexandre Texier will draw into the lineup in their place.

Veleno will slot into the lineup on Thursday in place of Alexandre Texier. Veleno has two goals and two assists in 51 games this season.

Veleno will take a seat on Tuesday in order to make way for the return of Josh Anderson (upper-body). Veleno has two goals and two assists in 51 games this season.

Veleno has not played since the NHL resumed after the Olympic break, and he did not practice on Monday due to an illness. The 26-year-old Veleno is averaging 12:14 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 49 games this season.

Veleno will draw into the Montreal lineup because Patrik Laine is out with a lower-body injury. Veleno most recently played for the Blackhawks, where he had seven points (3G / 4A) in 18 games. He'll centre a line with Zack Bolduc and Owen Beck in his debut.