Photo credit: Marc DeRosiers-USA Today
The Detroit Red Wings have a trade chip in veteran defenseman Ben Chiarot, whose value is skyrocketing to an all-time high.
That is Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot, who, in the last 25 games for the team, has been a bright spot playing good hockey. He’s scored 7 points (3-4) during that time frame.
The veteran defenseman signed a $19 million contract with the Red Wings in July 2022-23 and began his stint in the Original Six organization with a -31 rating. A slow start is a kind way of putting it here.
Since he’s acclimated himself to the team and has found his footing during his fourth season wearing the winged wheel, the tide has turned for him. He was sheltered playing with Moritz Seider the last two seasons.
In 2025-26, he’s found himself on the second pair with Axel-Sandin Pellikka after being switched between the Swedish rookie and the German veteran.
The two players have finally meshed well, and with his 7 points scored is on pace to top his career high of 21 points he scored in 2019-20 as a Montreal Canadiens player.
Detroit Red Wings veteran defenseman Ben Chiarot: more than just an offensive option
He’s been a clutch performer lately, scoring the game-winning goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets, dashing their hopes with a 4-3 victory in overtime last Saturday. His third goal of the season came in the third period when he helped the Red Wings tie the Predators on Wednesday.
Todd McLellan praised his game after a disappointing shutout against the New York Islanders:
Speaking to the media post-game on Nov. 22, McLellan said, «We challenged Benny because he probably didn’t have his best night against the Islanders, but he really responded well and I thought he played a heavy hard game.»
However, Chiarot’s game is multifaceted as he’s not an offensive defenseman, but can play both sides of the puck. He knows where his responsibilities lie as a player of the Red Wings.
It shows in Chiarot’s on-ice rating, as he is only five Red Wings players who have played 20 games this season, and has a +2. His plus rating is trailing between Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Emmitt Finnie, but is tied with Moritz Seider.
This is a stark contrast to a team that has a -11 goal differential and given up 86 goals, the second most in the Eastern Conference.
Chiarot’s played 21:05 minutes on average and has blocked 56 shots after blocking seven on Friday.
He’s proving that he’s not coasting through this tough stretch of games for the Red Wings. It’s just his team needs to meet him where he’s at and play a two-hundred-foot game of hockey.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
POLL
26 MINUTES AGOÂ Â Â |Â Â Â 10 ANSWERS
Red Wings veteran defenseman’s trade value is skyrocketing to an all-time high
Do you think defenseman Ben Chiarot has been a good Detroit Red Wings player lately?