Should Xavier Ouellet be traded?

Should we trade Xavier Ouellet?

That's a question that must be on Ken Holland mind! After signing Ouellet to a one-year contract this summer, the Quebec-born player is struggling to find his place in the lineup. The left-handed defenseman hasn't played since November 2 and averaged less than 15 minutes of ice time in his 6 starts this season. 

Ouellet watched his teammates lose six of their last 9 games, helplessly. Despite being scoreless in his six games, Ouellet still notched an assist and has a +2 plus/minus, nothing that hurted his team so far.

Detroit is pretty much stacked on the blueline, especially on the left side with : Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson and Danny Dekeyser. Brendan Smith is a left-handed defenseman who plays on the right side, nothing to help Ouellet's chance to crack the lineup. Mike Green, Ryan Sproul and Alexey Marchenko complete Detroit's defensive core.

Still, the Wings are struggling on the power-play with 15,5% of succes (22nd in the NHL) and Xavier Ouellet used to be one of the biggest power-play threat in the QMJHL. The offensive defeseman could be the solution to Detroit's power-play problems and possibly put them back on another winning streak.

For now, Holland can't send down Ouellet because he'll be claimed off the waivers. He shouldn't trade him right now, 'cause he knows his player value is at its lowest. There's really not many options for the Red Wings right now but Xavier Ouellet can't be another 3 weeks without seeing any action, it's up to Jeff Blashill to find a place in the lineup for the #61.