Red Wings convinced Ouellet has a future in Detroit Xavier Ouellet, 22, hasn't played yet this NHL season, but Jeff Blashill has confidence he can contribute down the road

Helene St. James | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Red Wings' Blashill talks up defense prospect Ouellet Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill talks about defenseman prospect Xavier Ouellet on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, at Joe Louis Arena. Video by Helene St. James / DFP

Detroit Red Wings prospect Xavier Ouellet had to make do with watching, but at least one important backer sees him as a contributor down the road.

Ouellet isn't in the lineup for tonight's game between the Wings and New Jersey Devils at Joe Louis Arena, leaving him still in want of his first NHL appearance of the season. He was called up Saturday night after an injury to Jonathan Ericsson emerged, but the Wings opted to go with veteran Jakub Kindl, who had been a healthy scratch, to fill the void.

This is the last season Ouellet, 22, can be sent down without going through waivers, but he already has been signed to an extension through 2016-17, indicating he will be on next year's squad.

With the Wings shutting down for the three-day Christmas break, expectations were Ouellet would be returned to the minors. However, Jeff Blashill, who knows Ouellet well from coaching him in the minors, certainly sounds convinced Ouellet has a future in Detroit.

“I have lots of belief in X,” Blashill said. “I think I know X as a player and what X can do. I think X is right there with a lot of D in this room. He is a very good player. When he will get his opportunity, time will tell that. But he’ll get an opportunity at some point, whether it’s this year or in the future, and he’ll be a real good NHL player.”

“When X is playing his best hockey, X has an ability to pass the puck. He is a good all-around player. He makes good outlet passes, he’s got good strength to him, he’s smart defensively. He can add offense from the blue line with a pretty good shot. I think he is a good, all-around player.”

Ouellet, a second-round pick from 2011, has played 25 NHL games over the past two seasons, plus he appeared in Game 5 of the 2014 playoff series against Boston. Ouellet played 21 games last season, producing two goals among three points and a plus-4 defensive rating.

He has two goals among 12 points in 25 games with the Griffins.

“I’ve been doing pretty good personally,” he told the Free Press. “It is a big season, I know it. It means a lot, having a good season. Hopefully I can come in next year and finally establish myself as an NHL player.”

Ouellet is trying to follow the path of Alexey Marchenko, who likewise is in the last year of waiver exemption. Since being called up in October, Marchenko has played every game, and has gotten a place to live.

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.

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