Could Quinn Hughes Be the Missing Piece in Detroit? The Red Wings Are a Sleeper to Watch
Until Quinn Hughes eventually ends up in New Jersey to join his brothers - a reunion that feels more like “when” than “if” - the NHL rumor mill is going to keep spinning. And while the Devils are the obvious frontrunner in any Hughes sweepstakes, another city with deep personal ties to the Norris Trophy winner is starting to gain momentum: Detroit.
Let’s be clear - as long as the Canucks continue to stumble, the likelihood of Hughes sticking around in Vancouver seems to shrink by the week. That’s opened the door for speculation, and the Devils have been at the center of it all season long. But don’t sleep on the Red Wings, who are quietly positioning themselves as a legitimate contender if Hughes becomes available.
Insiders like Jeff Marek and former NHL executive Pierre McGuire are already sounding the alarm in Detroit: if Steve Yzerman wants to make a big move, now might be the time.
“If you’re Yzerman, do you not take a real swing at this if/when he becomes available?” Marek asked, pointing to Hughes’ deep ties to Michigan - both the state and the university. McGuire didn’t hesitate: “The answer is yeah, you do… Detroit’s got to be in the mix.”
There’s a lot to unpack here. Hughes, now 26, is in year five of a six-year, $47.1 million extension he signed with Vancouver back in 2021. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season, which means the Canucks still have some control - but the clock is ticking.
Why Detroit Makes Sense - On and Off the Ice
Let’s start with the obvious: Hughes has history in Michigan. He played his college hockey at the University of Michigan and spends his offseasons just outside of Detroit with family. That’s not just a casual connection - it’s the kind of familiarity that makes a long-term fit much more realistic.
From a hockey standpoint, the Red Wings have been building steadily under Yzerman, assembling a roster with promising young talent and a competitive core. But what they’re still missing is that true superstar on the back end - a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman who can tilt the ice and control the game. Hughes checks every one of those boxes.
He’s a left-shot defenseman, which fits a positional need in Detroit, and the idea of pairing him with Moritz Seider - the Wings’ physical, right-shot blueliner - is enough to make any coach or GM salivate. That duo could instantly become one of the most formidable pairings in the league, combining elite skating and vision with shutdown physicality.
It’s not just about talent - it’s about fit. Hughes brings the kind of offensive upside and transition game that could elevate the Red Wings from a team with potential to a legitimate contender. And with Detroit already showing signs of turning the corner, adding a player of Hughes’ caliber could accelerate that timeline in a big way.
The Devils Are Still the Favorite - But Detroit's No Afterthought
Let’s not kid ourselves - New Jersey is still the most likely destination if Hughes leaves Vancouver. The storyline writes itself: three Hughes brothers, one team, and a franchise that’s already built to win now. But if there’s a team that could sneak in and make things interesting, it’s Detroit.
The Red Wings have the assets, the cap flexibility, and the connection. They also have a GM in Yzerman who isn’t afraid to swing big when the moment calls for it. If Hughes hits the trade block, don’t be surprised if Detroit is right there in the mix.
It might not be Hughes’ first choice, but if he’s looking for a second home that feels familiar - and offers a shot at winning - Detroit makes a whole lot of sense.