The Zetterberg Era
Ball Hockey Sucks
Once again, hes young and after one season of playing center, none of those things are final products. The wings arent going to be good, why wouldnt you develop him for at least one more year before just saying f*** it and throwing him on the wing? What do the wings have to lose? People love Veleno, but he hasnt had a good offensive season since junior. Rasmussen was the number one center in Grand Rapids a couple years ago while Veleno was a fourth liner
Anyone who has consistently watched them both play with Grand Rapids would agree with that. Rasmussen was significantly better in Grand Rapids at center than Veleno has been in Grand Rapids or Sweden (the odd time he played center)
I think Veleno can get to being a good center at the NHL level. A part of that is him actually playing the #1C role in Grand Rapids and showing his growth this season with the big off-season. He won't be there long if he does what he should, but he is behind Rasmussen right now. I know you have heard it as well, but my sources, players that played against both in the AHL... Also have a couple friends in the business on the scouting side. Rasmussen is valued a little higher outside of our fan-base with hockey types because of how unique he really is. I just wish they could get him to play meaner hockey in Detroit, I think that is his next step.
Veleno still has things to learn at that level, now he can knock most of them out in a month. I think he will go down and do that, but until he does I am not convinced this is damaging to him at all. I think he made off-season gains, I like where he is at, we should see him soon in my opinion, this gives us better organizational depth.
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