The New York Rangers have reportedly signed center Joe Veleno to a one-year, $1.2 million contract. 

Veleno spent the 2025-26 season with the Montreal Canadiens, recording two goals, three assists, and five points in 61 games.

The 2018 first-round pick took on a two-way role with the Canadiens, earning a spot on the penalty kill, while averaging 12:05 minutes per game. 

During Mike Sullivan’s exit interview, he emphasized the Rangers’ need to add some depth to their bottom-six forward unit, specifically looking for a player who has the ability to contribute on the penalty kill.

“I think there might be some opportunities to improve our bottom six at the forward position, where players might be able to play certain roles that could allow us to take some of our core players out of situations,” Sullivan said. “For example, the penalty kill, if we could take Mika and J.T. [Miller], [Vincent Trocheck] and these guys out of some of those situations. 

“I mean, obviously, they’re very good at it, so we’re not trying to remove that element of their game completely. But it gives us the ability to manage their minutes, which I think gives them the ability to sustain performance game in, game out.” 

Veleno, a 26-year-old forward, could fill in the fourth-line center role for the Rangers, previously vacated by Sam Carrick, who was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in March.