Concern grows after blindsided hit leaves Canadiens forward injured ahead of Bruins game

A message on Twitter reignited concern surrounding Joe Veleno on Sunday night.

Last night in Pittsburgh, the Canadiens forced overtime against the Sidney Crosby and the Penguins but went on to lose in a shootout.

According to what’s circulating, Veleno was reportedly not on the bench in overtime after a solid hit during his last shift.

The words “protocol” and “concussions” were even mentioned, without any official announcement from the Canadiens.

Concern surrounding Joe Veleno following blindsided hit

All indications suggest he was taken out of the game to be evaluated under concussion protocol following a blindsided hit on his final shift.

The 25-year-old center signed a one-year, one-way contract with Montreal on July 16, 2025. For a depth player, it’s a low-cost gamble: $900,000 for the season.

Over his NHL career, he has totaled 337 games, with 40 goals, 44 assists, and 111 penalty minutes.

Last season, he played 74 games split between Detroit and Chicago, recording 17 points, including eight goals. This season, he has appeared in 31 games, with two goals and one assist, for three points.

Those are modest numbers, but they also explain why an absence-even a short one-can quickly affect line combinations.

If Veleno did indeed leave a game after a hit, the Canadiens have no interest in improvising. Concussions must be handled with caution, period. And as long as there is no update, this remains a situation to monitor, not a verdict.

Montreal’s next game is Tuesday in Boston against the Bruins. If Veleno cannot be in uniform, the Canadiens will simply have to absorb the minutes elsewhere.