Ouellet spent the 2012-13 season with Thetford Mines of the LNAH, so he’s a long-shot to ever find his way back to the NHL.
The Bruins received Ouellet (who last appeared in the NHL in 2008-09) and a fifth-round pick in exchange for Benoit Pouliot this past offseason. He’ll serve as organizational depth up front.
Go the scrap heap, grab a winger, see if he can fit. This tactic has become the M.O. of star-laden teams like the Pens and now the Bolts, too. Ouellet is a depth offensive guy who could contribute here and there but it all depends on how Guy Boucher builds his squad. Ouellet may find himself spending a lot of time in the A if Boucher decides to load up on checking types on lines three and four. But he may have some residual value off the wire if he nabs a spot on line three with Dominic Moore. Camp will tell the tale.
Ouellet failed to deliver last season as a low-cost sidekick for former center Brad Richards. And this year, he's barely clinging to a job given the Bolts' depth up front. Watch for a trade but he needs to roll with someone who not only carries the mail but pays the guy's bills, too. He's pretty much useless himself.
Ouellet, 24, had decent overall numbers in his rookie season, but his streakiness has followed him into the NHL in the same way it did in the AHL. The center potted 16 goals and added 16 assists in 50 games, but 10 of those scores came in one early 10-game stretch. He's best used on fantasy teams as a power-play weapon as he likes to camp himself in front of opposing goalies and pick up garbage goals.
With 32 goals, Ouellet led Wilkes-Barre in goal scoring for the second straight year in 2004-05. Despite a late season slump that saw him score two goals in two months, Ouellet is still worth keeping an eye on. It's doubtful he'll make the team out of camp, but he could be a productive midseason callup.
