Joe Veleno is aiming to solidify his place with the New York Rangers after a turbulent period over the past two NHL seasons marked by multiple trades and team changes. The 26-year-old center, who spent the first five years of his professional career with the Detroit Red Wings, signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Rangers during the offseason, seeking to make an impact in a new environment.

Veleno’s recent journey has included being traded from Detroit to Chicago, then quickly moved to Seattle, where he was placed on unconditional waivers by the Kraken. He later signed with the Montreal Canadiens as an unrestricted free agent, earning his first experience in the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, the Canadiens opted not to extend a qualifying offer, rendering him a free agent for the second consecutive summer.

“It’s been a little difficult, for sure,” Veleno said ahead of his first preseason appearance for the Rangers, a 4-3 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden. “Not always easy, but you try to learn from those mistakes and avoid that happening again as best as you can. Try to find ways to improve and get better. I thought I did a good job of that last year, establishing more of an identity for myself.”

Heading into the regular season, Veleno has been pegged as the Rangers’ fourth-line center, frequently skating alongside wingers Tye Kartye and Matt Rempe during preseason games, a lineup that appears likely to carry into the season opener against the Boston Bruins later this month. He has expressed a focus on defensive responsibility, contributing on the penalty kill, and winning faceoffs, while hoping to increase his offensive production.

In the same preseason contest, veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo started the second-to-last exhibition game for the Rangers, with rookie Dylan Garand as backup. Korpisalo conceded a tying goal late in regulation when Amadeus Lombardi scored five-hole with less than two minutes remaining. “I think [the] third goal is a bad goal on my part. I got to save the puck, and the game is on the line. You got to find a way to do it,” Korpisalo commented. He also noted that extending the game to overtime and a shootout can be advantageous for the team.

As the Rangers finalize their roster ahead of the regular season, Veleno’s ability to contribute both defensively and offensively will be key to establishing his role and securing a stable spot in the lineup.