I remember a rather extensive period of time here when half the people on this forum were as high or higher for Kindl as they seem to now be for Ouellet. But heading to the NHL and having to face that level of competition and pressure while continuing to grow is no easy task. I hope Ouellet works out a lot better, and he very well could and probably should, but I won't be shocked if he doesn't. We've seen days like this before, and we'll see them again. Prospects, no matter how promising, are just prospects until they prove they can really do it at the NHL level. You just can't put all your faith in them unless you're fine getting burnt at least half the time if not more.
Thing is, Kindl always had question marks over his play in the AHL, I remember he was -33 or somesuch one year, and he never put up big numbers like Kronwall did despite being an "offensive" defenceman. His NHL career is pretty much what could be predicted from his play in the minors.
Oullet is 21 and playing like a man already. People are high on him for a reason. Not to mention we have 5 (FIVE!) top D prospects who all run out of waiver exemption in 2 years, at the same time. We need to start feeding them into the NHL now, as and when they become ready.
And if we can't trade Kindl for a 7th and eating half his salary, then waive him, maybe we'll get lucky and someone will pick him up. If not, he'd be a good 3rd pairing defenceman in Grand Rapids.