Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Will Have to Get in Line for Quinn Hughes
The Detroit Red Wings whiffed on that June day in 2018 when they could have secured University of Michigan freshman Quinn Hughes by simply saying his name into a microphone.
Owning the No. 6 pick in the NHL draft, GM Ken Holland ignored Hughes and drafted Filip Zadina. Today, Hughes is one of the league’s premium defensemen while Zadina is playing in the Swiss National League.
But seven years later the Red Wings may have a chance to right a wrong from their history. We have to say “may” because there are too many variables to say for sure they will get a legitimate chance.
The Canucks sit 30th in the NHL’s 32-team league and have let it be known that they may soon be moving out some players to launch a renovation project on the franchise. The word is that their captain Hughes is not one of the players they hope to move — at least not yet.
Is Hughes Destined for New Jersey?
Hughes becomes an unrestricted free agent after next season, and the Canucks will undoubtedly make a serious effort to re-sign him. But he could decide he wants to play elsewhere. There has been considerable speculation about Hughes wanting to join brothers Jack and Luke in New Jersey.
All we know for sure is that the Canucks cannot let him leave without landing a significant return. That’s why there’s considerable speculation that several teams will make an effort to trade for the 2024 Norris Trophy winner.
The Red Wings have been listed as one of those teams, not because there are any reports of talks between the Red Wings and Canucks. They are listed because there is considerable logic to the idea of Detroit making a call.
Leaving aside the history that their fan base is still angry over the decision to take Zadina, there are reasons to believe Quinn Hughes would want to play in Detroit, including the fact he lived here when he was playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program and at Michigan.
Ties to Michigan
Second, his parents live in Michigan and their three NHL sons all spend time in Michigan because of that. The Red Wings now have a collection of American-born players, led by Dylan Larkin who is highly respected in the American program. Larkin could be Detroit’s best salesperson. Likewise, Patrick Kane’s presence could help.
Of course, recruitment issues only matter for the process of re-signing him after you trade for him. Quinn Hughes doesn’t have a no-trade clause, meaning the Canucks can trade him anywhere.
That certainly doesn’t disqualify the Red Wings because they may be willing to provide the Canucks with the high caliber young players they desire. If they acquire the 26-year-old puck mover Hughes, they could part with Axel Sandin-Pellikka. Nate Danielson. Trey Augustine. Dmitri Sebastian Cossa. Their list is long on possibilities. Plus, they may be willing to trade their 2026 first round pick.
What they would give obviously would be dependent upon their ability to talk to Hughes before the trade to make sure he would consider re-signing here.
The Red Wings desire him because he’s a transformative player. He would help the team both offensively and defensively. They would look completely different with him quarterbacking the offense. But they are looking to buy, not rent. They would want him long-term. If he does want to play with his brothers in New Jersey, there is no reason to acquire him. A one-year lease makes no sense, not for what it will cost them.
The Red Wing front office doesn’t have the know-how to pull off a decent trade. They hold on to their prospects like their gold and very few even pan out. Look at “Kasper the friendly ghost.’ Almost a third of a season and he doesn’t have even one assist. Think about it…even goaltenders get assists.
He’s a rental.
Hope it doesn’t happen because Yzerman isn’t capable of making this type of trade and come out on top. Ruthford is way over his head. The Wings would get hammered.
Hope it doesn’t happen simply because Yzerman isn’t capable of making a trade of this magnitude and come out on top. Ruthford is way above his pay grade. The Wings would get hammered.
At this point, I highly doubt the Wings would include Cossa in any trade for Hughes, even with a guarantee that he’ll sign here long term. Cossa just backstopped the Griffins to their 16th win of the season, a 1-0 shutout. He’s now won eight of his nine games and has a 1.56 GAA and a .942 Sv%. The Wings at least need to see what he can do at the NHL level before moving him.
And for icing on the Griffins win, John Leonard scrored the winning goal (his 15th in 15 games) and Gustafsson had the assist (his ninth in 11 games).
If Hughes signed an extension then definitely Cossa is in the equation. Plus a 2nd and Bergers would be close. We have 3 to 4 other goalie prospects to replace Cossa. If Van wants more than I don’t pull the trigger. Make a deal for Svechnikov out of Carolina for Cossa plus.
How do you trade a goalie putting up the numbers that Cossa is without first determining if he can perform at a high level in the NHL? Hughes is a great defenseman, but he’s not worth a #1 goalie – IF that’s what Cossa can be. I think you have to find out before you ship him out for anyone.
Need to trade while value is highest. I don’t believe that Yzerman is as high on Sebastian Cabot as he was in the past. There are questions about his game translating to the NHL level. In any case, it will not happen. Yzerman chokes when it comes to meaningful trades and stinks at the ones that he does make.
The only reason Cossa is still here is because Trey hasn’t officially signed. Once Trey signs Cossa is expendable.
Indications are that Trey wants no part of the organization.
Can you blame him, with Yzerman in charge
He’ll force the Nucks to deal him to the only team he will sign with, NJ. It’ll be just like DeBrincat leveraging his way to Detroit. He just has to let teams know they have no shot at signing him and He’ll control the whole situation.