The importance of Joe Veleno, Samuel Blais pushed back again, and the waivers situation

Félix Forget
The importance of Joe Veleno, Samuel Blais pushed back again, and the waivers situation
Credit: Twitter screenshot

Last summer, the Canadiens agreed to terms with Joe Veleno on a one-year contract. The Québécois, who couldn't get his career off the ground, decided to come home and join the Habs as a depth forward.

And at the time, just about everyone saw him as a 13th forward who, if need be, would come in and help out.

And at the start of the season, that's exactly what happened. Veleno was sidelined for the Habs' first five games, then moved into the lineup… and stayed there for the next 46 games.

But tonight, with the return of Alexandre Texier, Veleno will skip his turn for the first time since October 16.

In fact, the last time he skipped his turn, Patrik Laine was in the Habs lineup. We'll come back to him.

Veleno, who has just four points in 46 games, was the easiest guy to crack because of the return of the injured.

And in their absence, it's hard to say he hasn't given a serious helping hand to the club, whose infirmary has been seriously overflowing at times.

Samuel Blais postponed again

The return of the injured is also a bad sign for Samuel Blais, who is still falling down the Habs' organizational chart. He too came to town with the idea of being a support player who would probably spend some time in the stands, but here he is now the 14th forward in town.

And yet, the man who also spent time in Toronto and Laval this year plays good hockey when he's in uniform. He brings intensity and physicality to his game, making him an interesting player on the fourth line.

And he's even brought a bit of offense to the table, with two goals and five points in 13 games with the Habs this season.

Remember that Blais left the team a week ago. That said, there are some things working against him in town: a guy like Veleno is ahead of him because he can play center and win face-offs.

In that sense, then, it makes sense to put Blais in the 14th forward's chair… and wonder when he'll play his next game.

The case of the waivers

Under the circumstances, it makes sense to ask whether the Habs should waive any of these guys. After all, there's a surplus of forwards in town… and that's with Patrik Laine (who is a special case in that the Canadiens are expected to trade him) and Alex Newhook sidelined.

But even if the injured players are returning at the moment, we know that the club is not immune to new injuries between now and the end of the season. The schedule is condensed, and we know that it can quickly become demanding for the guys.

Especially since Martin St-Louis has two different profiles in Blais and Veleno that he can use according to his needs.

If the club still has a perfectly healthy lineup when Newhook returns, it's safe to assume that the Habs will be forced to put one of them through waivers. But a lot can change between now and then.

We don't wish injuries on anyone, of course, but they are possible. And maybe some guys will be used in transactions between now and one of the “two deadlines” that are coming up.

My point is this: be cautious about putting Veleno and/or Blais up for waivers. As we've seen over the past few months, it doesn't take much for the club to need their depth.

Even if they'll both be in the stands tonight.


Overtime

– That's a lot of partners.

– Hi, Jacob.

– Great news for the Québécois.

– Signature in Washington.

– Things are heating up between the two division rivals.

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