Could the Detroit Red Wings be on the brink of correcting one of their most glaring draft mistakes of the past decade? Imagine if they could land a star defenseman who was drafted just one pick after their own selection—a player who’s now a Norris Trophy winner. That’s the tantalizing possibility swirling around the Red Wings as rumors heat up about a potential trade for Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks’ standout blueliner. But here’s where it gets controversial: would the Red Wings be willing to pay the steep price to make this deal happen, and is Hughes even considering a move to Detroit? Let’s dive in.
Back in 2018, the Red Wings made a head-scratching decision by selecting Filip Zadina with the sixth overall pick, a move that many believed would secure them a prolific goal scorer. Little did they know, the Vancouver Canucks would snag defenseman Quinn Hughes just one pick later, setting him on a path to become one of the NHL’s most dominant defensemen. Fast forward to 2025, and the question on everyone’s mind is: could the Red Wings rectify that oversight by trading for Hughes? It’s a bold move, no doubt, but one that could reshape their future.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently weighed in on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast, suggesting that the Canucks are seeking ‘legitimate NHLers,’ including a center, in exchange for Hughes. Friedman didn’t mince words when he said, ‘When I rank the teams and consider who could pull this off, Detroit is very high on my list.’ And this is the part most people miss: Friedman pointed out the unexpected trade between the Red Wings and Canucks a few years ago, when Filip Hronek was sent to Vancouver. ‘Can you see Steve Yzerman not being interested in Quinn Hughes?’ Friedman asked. ‘Or Hughes not being drawn to Detroit, given his ties to the area?’
Hughes spent two years at the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth and another two at the University of Michigan, and his parents still live in the region. These connections could make Detroit an appealing destination for the 26-year-old defenseman. But let’s not forget the elephant in the room: the cost. Acquiring Hughes would likely require the Red Wings to part with a combination of top prospects like Nate Danielson, Marco Kasper, or Axel Sandin-Pellikka, a first-round pick, and possibly more. And here’s the kicker: the Red Wings won’t give up their prime assets without a contract extension in place. Yzerman isn’t in the business of renting players.
Hughes’ current contract runs through the 2026-27 season, and he’s due for a significant raise from his $7.825 million salary. However, he can’t sign an extension until July 1, 2026, which means any trade is unlikely to happen until the offseason—unless a team is willing to gamble on acquiring him now and signing him later. Adding to the intrigue, Hughes could become an unrestricted free agent in 2027, and many speculate he might join his brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey, either through a trade or as a free agent.
But what if Detroit could convince him otherwise? Hughes is a perennial Norris Trophy contender, averaging nearly a point per game over his eight-year career (431 points in 456 games). He could be the game-changer the Red Wings have been missing for years. Yet, the question remains: is the price too high, or is this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity the Red Wings can’t afford to pass up?
What do you think? Is trading for Quinn Hughes worth the cost, or should the Red Wings focus on building through the draft? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark some fiery opinions!
