Veleno’s first game of season

Dave Bartkowiak Jr., Digital Managing Editor

Published: October 31, 2021 at 9:51 AM

Tags: RW Newsletter, Newsletter, DRW Newsletter

Joe Veleno made his season debut against the Leafs. Now I don’t know how they send him back to Grand Rapids.

Another tough loss

There were times in the game Saturday night when the Red Wings were badly outplayed in their own end. The Maple Leafs are talented enough to make teams pay for sloppy decisions. Detroit put at least 3 of the Leafs’ 5 goals on a platter for them.

Otherwise, this game was very evenly matched -- another tough loss for the young Wings. If I’m the Leafs I am not looking forward to any games against the Red Wings anymore. This was a good matchup, which is not something I’d feel great about if I am a fan of this over-the-cap Leafs team.

That said, Detroit definitely missed Tyler Bertuzzi and Adam Erne, especially early in the game when they were trying to generate an aggressive forecheck. Bertuzzi couldn’t travel to Canada, and Erne apparently was injured after those blocked shots Friday night. I think both of them would have made a difference in this kind of game against the Leafs.

Full game recap: Tavares, Mrazek help Maple Leafs hold off Red Wings, 5-4

Dylan Larkin had a very strong 60 minutes as he dogged Auston Matthews up and down the rink -- Matthews was held without a point and 3 shots on goal. It’s really good to see Larkin back healthy and playing with the speed and strength we know he has. He deserved a goal Saturday -- he had 6 shots on net. It would have been nice to see him get one by his old buddy Petr Mrazek.

Larkin saw the most time on ice out of any forward in the game, on both rosters, at 21:47. His season average TOI is 17:43. This was one his “Bugs Bunny” games, but in a good way.

Joey V makes trip

Someone texted me “Joey V!” during the game, so I’m just going with it. He was called up on Saturday and had to rush to get from Grand Rapids to Toronto. Apparently Steve Yzerman actually drove him to Toronto from Detroit. What a nice guy.

Anyway, Veleno put in a very solid effort during his 12:28 time on ice. He looks big, strong and fast with the ability to finish -- exactly what we already know about him. Most importantly, he was in good position, for the most part, and that’s why he was rewarded with a goal and an assist. He now has 3 points in six career NHL games.

I don’t know how you send this guy back to the AHL. At the very least, he’s playing the next game on this mini Canada trip. Who else is getting “hurt” before the Montreal game on Tuesday? We know Bertuzzi is not on the trip.

Watch: Veleno’s post-game comments

What’s up with the defense?

Defenseman Jordan Oesterle made his season debut, too, as Gustav Lindstrom and Troy Stecher were scratched. Oesterle got an assist, but I wouldn’t say this was a “strong” game for him. He was put in a pretty tough situation being asked to play his first game of the season against a deep Leafs forward group on Saturday night in Toronto. Keep in mind that while Veleno was playing actual hockey games in Grand Rapids, Oesterle was just sitting in the press box. There’s a difference.

Meanwhile, what’s up with Stecher? I thought he would be a regular top-pairing defenseman for this squad right now. Instead, he averages 14:20 a game, when he does get in. That’s the least TOI for any Red Wings defenseman this season, and he’s only appeared in four of Detroit’s nine games.

Remember, this is a guy who was left exposed in the Seattle expansion draft. If Yzerman is thinking about trading him (Stecher is in year two of a two-year contract), he might need to ensure his value is higher than it is right now. Stecher might need to play, is what I am saying. Just my thoughts.