Could a Surprise Buyout Be Looming for Red Wings’ Holl — and What About Veleno?…Read More…
As the Detroit Red Wings chart their course for a pivotal 2025-26 season, front office whispers are growing louder about the future of two polarizing players: veteran defenseman Justin Holl and center Joe Veleno. Could general manager Steve Yzerman be preparing for a bold offseason maneuver involving a potential buyout of Holl’s contract — and is Veleno’s status more uncertain than fans realize?
With buyout windows opening this month and the NHL Draft looming, the Red Wings’ management finds itself at a critical juncture. After narrowly missing the playoffs for a third straight year, internal pressure is mounting to take the next step. But doing so might require making tough decisions about players who haven’t quite lived up to expectations.
The Holl Dilemma
When Justin Holl signed a three-year, $10.2 million deal with the Red Wings in July 2023, the move was met with skepticism. The former Toronto Maple Leaf was brought in to add experience, size, and a right-handed shot to Detroit’s blue line, but in two seasons, Holl has struggled to justify the price tag.
Holl posted just 8 points in 61 games this past season, with a minus-11 rating and a dwindling role under head coach Derek Lalonde. Once projected as a stabilizing presence on the second pair, Holl found himself regularly scratched or relegated to third-pair duties, often behind younger defensemen like Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson.
Multiple sources close to the organization now suggest the Red Wings are seriously considering a buyout of Holl’s contract, which carries a $3.4 million annual cap hit. A buyout would reduce that number to just over $1.1 million next season, freeing valuable cap space ahead of free agency.
“Holl’s future in Detroit is murky at best,” said a Western Conference scout familiar with the situation. “He hasn’t fit into the system the way they hoped, and with younger, cheaper options developing fast, the team needs to ask whether they can afford to keep a veteran who’s not contributing meaningfully.”
A buyout would also signal a broader shift in Detroit’s roster construction philosophy: moving away from stopgap veterans and fully committing to its youth movement. Edvinsson, Moritz Seider, and recent acquisition Axel Sandin Pellikka represent the future of Detroit’s blue line — and Holl, at 33, may no longer be part of that picture.
Veleno’s Value Questioned
While Holl’s buyout candidacy dominates headlines, another name has quietly entered the conversation: Joe Veleno. The 25-year-old center, drafted 30th overall in 2018, remains a puzzle. Flashes of promise — strong skating, occasional offensive bursts, and solid two-way potential — have too often been offset by long stretches of inconsistency.
Veleno put up 27 points in 76 games last season, primarily in a bottom-six role. He remains a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, and talks between his camp and the Red Wings have reportedly stalled. According to insiders, Detroit is weighing whether Veleno fits long-term into a forward group crowded with emerging talent.
“He’s not in danger of a buyout, but a trade? That’s more than realistic,” said an NHL insider close to the Red Wings’ front office. “He’s at a crossroads. The organization isn’t sure if he’s plateaued or if he just needs the right opportunity. That makes his situation complicated heading into the offseason.”
With Marco Kasper pushing for a full-time role and other prospects like Carter Mazur and Amadeus Lombardi knocking on the NHL door, Veleno may find himself squeezed out of the equation. His defensive reliability keeps him in the conversation, but if the Red Wings are looking to upgrade their center depth via trade or free agency, Veleno could be part of a package deal.
Yzerman’s Calculated Gamble?
Steve Yzerman has built a reputation as a methodical, forward-thinking GM. But with the team under increasing pressure to break its playoff drought, fans and media alike are watching to see whether “The Captain” is ready to make bolder decisions.
A Holl buyout would be Yzerman’s first during his tenure in Detroit — a notable move given his tendency to let contracts run their course. It would also signal a willingness to admit a misstep in free agency, something not all GMs are eager to do. But pragmatism may win out.
Meanwhile, decisions around Veleno could hint at a larger philosophical pivot. If Yzerman chooses to move on from the once-promising center, it suggests a sharpening focus on performance over potential — and a hard push to maximize every roster spot as Detroit transitions from rebuilding to contending.
Cap space is a central concern here. With extensions looming for key players like Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, every dollar counts. A buyout of Holl would free up breathing room, while trading Veleno could yield a low-cost prospect or draft capital in return.
The Fan Reaction
Among the Red Wings’ passionate fanbase, opinions are sharply divided.
On social media, many are calling for Holl’s departure, citing his costly turnovers and lack of offensive upside. “Buying him out is addition by subtraction,” one fan posted on Reddit. “We can’t let this contract weigh us down another year.”
Veleno, meanwhile, still has his defenders. “He’s a homegrown guy who’s paid his dues,” wrote another user. “Why give up now when he’s still only 25? He’s a cheap, dependable option down the middle.”
The team must now weigh these emotional attachments against cold, strategic realities.
What’s Next?
The NHL’s first buyout window opens 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final concludes. If the Red Wings intend to part ways with Holl via buyout, the clock will begin ticking shortly.
As for Veleno, expect trade rumors to intensify leading up to the NHL Draft in late June. Yzerman has shown a penchant for pulling off quiet, under-the-radar deals — and Veleno could be a piece in such a maneuver.
Either way, the coming weeks are shaping up to be among the most consequential of Yzerman’s tenure in Detroit. Will he stay the course with his current core, or will he start trimming the fat to make way for a new era?
For fans in Hockeytown, one thing is clear: the status quo is no longer good enough.
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