Detroit’s White on demanding trade: ‘We’re not there yet’

Ian White hasn’t suited up for the Red Wings since an 8-3 win over Vancouver on Feb. 24 and has been a healthy scratch for the last four games.

Tonight, he’ll be one once again when Detroit hosts the Oilers at Joe Louis, which has plenty of people asking:

Will he ask for a trade?

“No, we’re not there yet,” White told Chuck Pleiness of the Macomb Daily. “This is Game 5, you play so many games in a condensed period, it can get away from you pretty quick.

“All of a sudden you look after the weekend that’s seven straight games, if you don’t play.”

‘Yet’ seems to be the operative word here, as the 28-year-old blueiner’s in a very uncertain position.

Last week, Detroit head coach Mike Babcock said his “best” defensive group was comprised of Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Kyle Quincey, Brendan Smith, Jakub Kindl and Brian Lashoff.

That doesn’t bode well for White, especially with Carlo Colaiacovo (shoulder) reportedly close to returning.

White is in the final season of a two-year, $5.75 million contract and could be a target for teams looking to add offensive punch to the blueline. He posted a career-high 32 points last season with Detroit, leading all blueliners in assists (25).

The former Leaf, Flame, Shark and Hurricane is trying to stay positive but, given how much he’s moved around during his career, could be thinking there’s a better situation out there for him.

“In terms of trying to stick with it and how I deal with it, you’ve got to come to the rink and be a good teammate, can’t put yourself above the team and be pouting and moping around here,” White explained. “That doesn’t do anyone any favors. Just try to stay positive, there’s more to life than just hockey, too. You’ve got your family at home to worry about.

“So there are lots of things on the go other than this. But it’s really a frustrating time.”