Could the Detroit Red Wings be on the verge of correcting one of their most glaring draft mistakes in recent memory? It’s a question that has hockey fans buzzing, especially after NHL insider Elliotte Friedman dropped a bombshell on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast this week. Back in 2018, the Red Wings selected Filip Zadina with the sixth overall pick, a move that many believed would secure a goal-scoring powerhouse for the team. But just one pick later, the Vancouver Canucks snagged defenseman Quinn Hughes, a player who has since become a Norris Trophy-winning superstar. Now, eight years later, could Detroit finally land Hughes—albeit at a steep price?
Friedman suggests the Canucks are seeking “legitimate NHLers,” including a center, in exchange for Hughes, the 2024 Norris Trophy winner. And when it comes to potential suitors, Friedman places the Red Wings near the top of his list. “Detroit’s very high on my list,” he said. “Don’t forget, Jim Rutherford (Canucks president of hockey operations) and Steve Yzerman (Red Wings general manager) pulled off a surprise deal a couple of years ago (Filip Hronek to Vancouver). So, I always keep that in mind. But can you imagine Yzerman not being interested in Quinn Hughes? Or Hughes not being interested in Detroit when the time comes? I think they’re very legit.”
But here’s where it gets controversial: Friedman hinted that Detroit has the kind of centers the Canucks are after, though he stopped short of naming names. One thing’s for sure—Dylan Larkin, with his full no-trade clause through 2027-28, isn’t on the table. So, who could it be? And what would it cost the Red Wings to bring Hughes to the Motor City?
Speculation points to a package that might include prospects like Nate Danielson, Marco Kasper, or Axel Sandin-Pellikka, along with a first-round pick and possibly more. However, it’s unlikely Detroit would part with Lucas Raymond or Simon Edvinsson. And here’s the kicker: Yzerman isn’t in the business of renting players. Any deal would likely require a contract extension with Hughes, whose current deal runs through 2026-27. With Hughes set to command a significant raise from his $7.825 million salary, the timing of a trade is tricky. Unless a team is willing to gamble on acquiring him now and signing him later, a deal might not happen until the offseason.
And this is the part most people miss: Hughes, 26, holds the cards as he approaches unrestricted free agency after the 2026-27 season. Many believe he could join his brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey—either through a trade or as a free agent in 2027. But Detroit has a unique appeal: Hughes spent two years at the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth and two more at the University of Michigan. His parents still live in the area. Could that be enough to sway him?
Hughes is a game-changer, averaging nearly a point per game over his eight-year career (431 points in 456 games). For the Red Wings, he could be the missing piece they’ve struggled to find in free agency or trades for years. But the question remains: Is the price too high?
What do you think? Is trading for Quinn Hughes worth the cost for the Red Wings, or should they focus on building through the draft? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark some heated opinions!
