from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

So what would be best for Joe Veleno at this point of the season?

Veleno has been struggling to earn substantial minutes while centering the fourth line for the Wings, although he did earn an assist — ending a 14-game drought without points — in Friday's 3-2 shootout victory in Pittsburgh.

Veleno played just over 13 minutes Friday, which is just over the 12 minutes and 18 seconds he's averaging.

Or would it be better for Veleno, 22, to return to Grand Rapids and play more than 20 minutes a night and in all situations?

Tough call.

"Both Steve (Yzerman, Wings' general manager) and I are similar in a sense that we’ll make decisions," coach Jeff Blashill said. "That’s not to say we don’t have a long-term outlook on things, but a lot changes in this world that we live in. Right now, we take things day by day and we make the best decision for our hockey team and for each individual player’s development, and we’ll continue to do that.”

Veleno has three goals and two assists in 28 games, with a minus-7 rating. He's gotten opportunities on the power play, but not for extended periods of time.

Still, Blashill isn't looking at Veleno's offensive production as an indicator in terms of how Veleno is progressing.

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