Being a late bloomer isn't a bad thing. It's more important that he is blooming.
And he was a 30th overall pick who is going to make his NHL debut for a cup of coffee in his D+3. It's not like we're talking a top 5 pick who can't crack this shit lineup. There was no need to rush him so we didn't rush him.
Right.
But I think the issue with Veleno right now is that nobody really knows what he is.
It's hard to say. He's played his 3 D+ years in different leagues.
Monster year in the Q - that tailed off pretty badly in that last playoff round.
D+2 year in the AHL was a bit of a dud - though improved in the second half.
D+3 year in Sweden. Hard to say what to make of it.
I think the luster has come off Veleno in most circles.
At one point, and maybe this was just my mistake, I ranked Veleno as our #1 prospect. Turns out, he may still end up being the best of the prospects I had listed at the time.
But I believe it's absolutely fair to say that Veleno's stock has dropped since turning pro.
Doesn't mean he can't/won't be an effective NHLer.