San Jose Sharks
Can Veronneau Help Sharks Next Year?
Can Max Veronneau make it work this time in the NHL?
The San Jose Sharks announced the signing of the SHL MVP to a one-year contract today. The 26-year-old right winger led the league in goals (34) and was second with 60 points in 51 games.
Max Veronneau's deal is two-way, $750k AAV.
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) April 14, 2022
The #SJSharks signed 26 y/o UFA F Max Veronneau to a 1 year deal for next season:
NHL Salary 750K
Minors 325K
Guarantee 400KCap hit 750K
34G 60P in 51 SHL GP
Rep’d by Neumann/Bazos @EdgeSportsMngmt https://t.co/wBu1OHT9oi
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) April 14, 2022
This isn’t Veronneau’s first experience as a coveted free agent. Coming out Princeton, the Ontario native was signed by the Ottawa Senators at the end of the 2018-19 season. However, Veronneau failed to make a splash in his first go-around in North American hockey, scoring four points in 16 NHL games and 10 in 33 AHL appearances over two years.
Rasmus Kagstrom of Hockeysverige says Veronneau is a better player now though.
“He doesn’t cheat defensively and I wouldn’t say that he’s a bad player defensively, at least in the SHL,” Kagstrom told San Jose Hockey Now. “The NHL is another animal, though. I definitely think he could challenge for a spot [on the San Jose Sharks], but it will be as a bottom-6, I would imagine.”
On that score, it’s worth noting that Veronneau is also a regular penalty killer for Leksands IF. Kagstrom also pointed out that only five of Veronneau’s 34 goals have come on the power play – so he’s not just feasting off being a man up in an inferior (to the NHL) league.
more about veronneau (he's a wee bit old but might still be a solid depth contributor)
from: https://t.co/Vy16JBg1c3 pic.twitter.com/MJvVhBoZ05
— rooster trick (@FowleBall15) April 14, 2022
“He’s not your typical one-dimensional forward that you sometimes will see in the European leagues,” Kagstrom noted.
Corey Pronman of The Athletic agreed, saying of Veronneau recently: “He always had good skating and skill, but his compete and all-around play were issues. I think those issues have made enough improvement.”
The San Jose Sharks sure hope so. At the moment, the competition next year for a top-nine role up front on the Sharks is wide open – so there’s space for Veronneau to be a pleasant surprise.
