Zadina vs Veleno

[Fil Zaronek]

First rounders from Holland's last Red Wing draft. Of course one was picked high and the other at the end of the round.
Zadina produced more than Veleno last year but he had more PP time (1:50 to 0:24) and had more opportunity with the Wings' top forwards. Veleno actually scored at little better per 60 clp at ES than Zadina despite not having as much opportunity with better forwards, Veleno is bigger, stronger a better skater and can PK.
If Z isn't producing he is pretty much useless but Joe can provide more than just production.

[_sg_]

I went with Veleno for the reason you mentioned at the end of your post. I think he can carve out a Draper-esque role if things go his way. The fluke 20 goal season might even be part of the deal.

It's kinda too bad, it sometimes seems like he has almost all the tools, but lacks IQ/vision.

I'm not really on the "Zadina would look better with better players" wagon at all.

[Pop Zeus]

Veleno will never be elite, but he's on track to be a quality NHL center.
With experience I can still vaguely see a 2C somewhere down the road.
But most likely, a 3C with some nights where you think, "man, maybe he's better than I thought."

[RatPatrol]

With Veleno even if he tops out as an excellent 3C, it's an important cog for this team moving forward. We desperately need a playmaker.

[Machine]

I voted Veleno based on position more of a need
Zadina I’m still waiting on though my patience is starting to wear

[dcz28]

Went with Veleno. More versatile given he can play both center and wing. I haven't given up on Zadina but he needs to take a big step forward this season or i think he's as good as gone. Guys like Berggren, Soderblom and some of the other prospects could push him out pretty soon if he doesn't take a big step this season.

[Maestro16]

I went with Zadina. He promised us that he'd fill the other teams’ nets with pucks.

[holytoledo]

Zadina is an NHL player. I’m not sure Veleno is. I expected more from both of them by now.

[Zattaman]

Zadina is an NHL player. I’m not sure Veleno is. I expected more from both of them by now.

This.

Zadina certainly hasn't met expectations, but he's a decent 3rd liner and should eventually reach 30-40 points.

I don't know what to think about Veleno. He gives me an impression of a robot who does exactly what the coach tells him to. I hope he can develop into a good 4th/PK specialist, but I don't think he'll surpass Zadina.

[dcz28]

Last season was a career high for Zadina and Veleno only had 8 points less in 8 games less. Zadina (1:50 of average PP time per game) got plenty of PP time while Veleno (0:24 average PP time per game) got almost nothing. Zadina has more than double the amount of NHL games that Veleno has but can barely out produce him with a bigger advantage in PP time. Like i said, Veleno seems like the more versatile player of the two and if Zadina doesn't start producing this season, i think he is as good as gone. Veleno could still stick around even if he doesn't break out this season or ends up in the AHL because they have too many forwards and he doesn't have to clear waivers.

I haven't given up on Zadina but it's time for him to shit or get off the pot. He will have plenty of competition for PP time this season unlike last season where the Wings didn't have Copp, Perron, Kubalik and Vrana for most of it.