Detroit Red Wings blue liner Ben Chiarot was a stabilizing force throughout the season. His presence in the top four allowed coach Todd McLellan to have a reliable veteran presence as the team went through a rollercoaster ride at times this season.
The 34-year-old rearguard was drafted in the fourth round by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009. He eventually made it to the NHL after the Thrashers moved to Winnipeg and didn’t look back. He’s played over 700 games and racked up a respectable career.
This past season, Chiarot played a full season, suiting up for 81 games. He chipped in four goals and nine assists for 13 points. Yes, Chiarot’s role isn’t to score goals. His role is predominantly as a shutdown defenseman.
That’s where things get a little dicey. He ended the season a minus-14, suggesting he wasn’t overly successful on the defensive side of the equation.
But then again, that number must be taken with a grain of salt. The Wings had a rough start and then sort of faded down the stretch. So, when looking at Chiarot’s overall season, he had a solid year for a team that fell short of expectations.
Beyond his offensive numbers, Chiarot contributed well at 5-on-5. He played a total of 1,507 minutes at even strength, notching 12 of his 13 points 5-on-5. When looking at his defensive numbers, Chiarot blocked 117 shots, dropped 136 hits, and generated 23 takeaways. However, the only concerning number is his 81 giveaways.
Where Chiarot excelled was on the penalty kill. He played a total of 140.48 minutes shorthanded, second on the team. He blocked 16 shots and delivered 11 hits to go with two takeaways and two giveaways. So, based on those numbers, Chiarot is as reliable as they come.
That is why assessing Chiarot’s performance should be evaluated in the full context, not just the snapshot provided by the main offensive numbers.
Grade: B
Ben Chiarot may have somewhat of a high cap hit at $4.75 million. Given his overall performance, he’s worth his current contract value. Plus, he was a good influence on up-and-coming blue liner Albert Johansson during their time playing together.
Those intangibles make Chiarot a solid leader and a positive influence on the team.
There is one question mark surrounding Chiarot this upcoming season. He’s entering the final year of his current contract. He’ll be 35 by the time he hits free agency next summer. So, would the Red Wings be willing to re-sign him?
If he doesn’t slow down, the Detroit Red Wings should definitely take a chance on bringing back the Chiarot on a short-term deal. But if the Red Wings find themselves well out of a playoff spot by the trade deadline, there’s a chance the team could move him at the deadline next spring.
(All stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick)