Veleno signs 1-year contract with Red Wings

Joe Veleno signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old center was a restricted free agent after having NHL career highs in goals (nine), assists (11), points (20) and games played (81) last season with the Red Wings.

"It took a little while to get it done," Veleno told the Red Wings website on Thursday. "We were going back and forth with conversations, but it's out of the way. I have a really clear mind right now in terms of working out and preparing myself for training camp."

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Selected by the Red Wings in the first round (No. 30) of the 2018 NHL Draft, Veleno has 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) in 152 regular-season games, all with Detroit.

"I want to have a big year," Veleno told the website. "I feel really good this summer and even better than I did last year. I have been gaining a lot of experience over the last two years, so I feel confident heading into this season. In terms of expectations, I set the bar high for myself. It's an important year for me."

Detroit (35-37-10), which has not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2015-16 season, finished seventh in the Atlantic Division last season, 12 points behind the Florida Panthers for the second wild card from the Eastern Conference.

This offseason, they have added forwards Alex DeBrincat (trade from the Ottawa Senators on July 9) and J.T. Compher (signed July 1), and defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere (signed July 1) and Jeff Petry (trade from the Montreal Canadiens on Aug. 15) in hopes of getting back to the postseason for the first time since 2016.

"We added a lot of depth and talented players," Veleno said. "I think everyone is really excited to see what we can do this year. We've been taking steps over the years and have some good pieces now. I'm really excited to start meeting these guys and play alongside them. It should be fun."