Is Zadina injured? That's the prospect I'd have more hope for making the team over Veleno

JFV 7 goals in the tourny and looked amazing, I get what you are saying! Unless he destroys preseason though I bet he starts in grab rapids to get him used to the pro life and schedule. JFV, seider and Pearson had a bomb of a tournament

Zadina is not injured. Veleno has been more impressive over the past year tho.

I would debate that. Just because Veleno put up big numbers in the Q doesn't mean he was better than Zadina. Pro hockey is a tough adjustment and Zadina did play 9 games for the Wings last year. He would probably have the better odds of making the team

Hopefully both Z and V make the team

For sure, it’s totally debatable. I think Veleno looked better last preseason, had a better WJC (given his role), a better regular season and has looked better this summer. I totally agree that Zadina played much tougher competition last season and his 16+19 in the AHL is more impressive than he gets credit for. That’s a really tough league and a difficult adjustment, especially given it was only his second year in NA. My opinion is that the body of work over the past year has been more robust for Veleno and he has looked better side-by-side this summer, IMO.

Well that was a very reasonable response. IMO I think putting up decent (but not eye-popping) numbers in the AHL for an under-20 player is usually the more impressive feat as opposed to seemingly scoring at will in Junior. Best time to compare them on an even playing field would have been at the WJC but that Czech team wasn't particularly strong whereas Veleno had a lot more support on team Canada. I didn't tune in for a moment of the rookie tournament so I won't speak to eithers performance (I also don't put a lot of stock into those results either) but both should get a long look during the preseason.

if veleno is really ready and shows it in camp then hell ya let him play. does he slot in as a third center or play wing idk but if hes good enough to play top 9 and get real minutes then yeah. you can always play filpulla on his wing to baby sit him,

I do think V should make the team with how he looks but I feel they won’t have him play. If he makes the roster over Z the having V on the line with Hirose and AA would be a sweet line. Knocking Nielsen to 3C and Filppula to wing

Veleno looked a lot better at the prospect tournament this past weekend and they both played on the same line.

Can honestly say I didn't watch a moment of it but I don't put a lot of stock into the small sample size that is the rookie tournament before training camp. I'm not knocking on Veleno, I just think that Zadina has the inside track being a Winger with a year of pro already under his belt