Philippe Veilleux (LW, L, 5’9″, 170, Val d’Or Foreurs, 03/26/2007)
Case for Philippe Veilleux as an NHL Draft Pick
High-End Offensive Production & Playmaking Ability
Having 70 points (33G, 37A) in 68 games in the QMJHL is legitimate top-line production at the junior level.
His 3.3 shots per game and 3.0 Grade “A” scoring opportunities per game show that he consistently finds ways to generate offense.
His ability to set up teammates (2.6 passes per game leading to a shot on goal) adds a strong playmaking element to his game.
88% pass completion rate is solid, though a truly elite undersized offensive forward should be above 90%.
Strong Skating & Elusiveness
His low number of hits taken (0.25 per game) – he is elusive and understands how to avoid contact rather than absorbing unnecessary hits.
9:45 offensive zone time per game – he is frequently involved in pushing play forward and creating chances.
Veilleux is not a physical player, but he compensates with his ability to maneuver through traffic and make plays at high speeds.
Hockey Sense & Puck Anticipation
His 3.1 takeaways per game – he has a high hockey IQ and strong anticipation skills, making him effective at disrupting plays and turning defense into offense.
His 2 loose puck recoveries per game after shots is a very good number for a player of any size, showing his ability to read and react to scoring opportunities.
Discipline & Reliability
Just 12 PIMs in 68 games – plays a disciplined game and does not take unnecessary penalties.
While his -9 rating is below average, it is not catastrophic on a weaker defensive team, especially considering his point production.
Case Against Philippe Veilleux as an NHL Draft Pick
Undersized with Questionable Physicality for the Next Level
At 5’9″, 170 lbs, Veilleux is well below the NHL average size for forwards (6’1.5″, 206 lbs).
0.04 hard hits per game—essentially a non-physical presence.
While he avoids contact well, NHL defenders will be more aggressive in closing his space, making it harder to create offense.
Lack of Defensive Impact & Two-Way Play
Only 0:02 per game on the penalty kill – he is not trusted defensively.
7:47 of his 5-on-5 play is spent in the defensive zone per game, and with a negative plus/minus (-9), there are legitimate concerns about his ability to defend effectively at the professional level, never mind the National League level.
His 49% win rate in 50/50 puck battles is not high enough for an undersized NHL prospect. We understand that larger players with a lower 50/50 winning percentage will be drafted but a player of his size must have a much higher win rate in puck battles.
Shot Efficiency & Goal Scoring Concerns
14% shooting percentage on Grade “A” scoring chances is too low for a smaller, offensive-minded player.
He needs to improve deception, release, and one-timer ability to finish at a higher rate at the next level.
1.47 shots blocked per game and 1.37 shots missing the net per game are simply too high for an undersized offensive minded player.
Turnover Issues & Puck Management
4.1 giveaways per game is too high, particularly for a player who is not an elite power-play distributor.
His 88% pass completion rate is good but needs to be 90%+ for a smaller offensive playmaker to maximize efficiency.
Final Verdict: Draftable or Not?
Draftable in the Late Rounds (6th-7th) If a Team Sees Developmental Potential
Why Draft Him?
High-end offensive instincts, production, and playmaking ability.
Elusive skater with strong hockey sense.
Disciplined, low-penalty player who does not hurt his team with bad penalties.
Good anticipation skills (takeaways, puck retrievals) could allow him to develop into a solid secondary offensive piece.
Why Not Draft Him?
Lack of physicality and size make it a long shot that he translates to the NHL.
Inefficiency in shot attempts (too many blocked or missed) raises questions about whether he can be a consistent scorer at higher levels.
Lack of defensive impact—not trusted on the penalty kill, struggles in defensive zone play.
Turnover concerns (4.1 giveaways per game) – he may not handle NHL-level pressure well.
Projection:
Best-Case NHL Upside: Depth forward or power-play specialist in an offensive role with limited 5-on-5 play.
Likely Path: Drafted in 6th-7th round → CHL/NCAA development → AHL offensive contributor → Potential NHL call-up.
Draft Range: Late-round flyer or undrafted free agent signing with AHL focus.
Conclusion:
Philippe Veilleux is a skilled offensive player, but his size, defensive limitations, and inefficiency in scoring chances make him a risky NHL projection. If a team believes in his skill set and thinks they can develop his shot selection, strength, and battle-level, he could carve out a role as a depth scorer. However, his lack of physicality, defensive impact, and two-way reliability make him more likely to be an AHL offensive piece rather than a full-time NHLer.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
