The Detroit Red Wings got the Quinn Hughes decision right, even if it didn’t feel that way at the time.
Last season, Detroit had a real shot at landing Hughes, but the move never happened because the deal hinged on one thing: Hughes agreeing to a long-term extension with the Red Wings. Steve Yzerman and Vancouver had already lined up the trade, and Yzerman even spoke directly with Hughes. But Hughes passed, and that was that.
“You are misinformed, like many others.
Steve Yzerman and Vancouver had agreed to a trade for Quinn Hughes. It was a done deal ON THE CONDITION that Hughes agreed to a long-term deal with Detroit.
Yzerman and Hughes spoke directly. Hughes declined.
Wings sure tried. https://t.co/coFipeE6Fd
April 15, 2026”
Without that commitment, the deal collapsed, and Hughes wound up with the Minnesota Wild instead of Detroit. At the time, plenty of fans were frustrated that the Red Wings didn’t push harder.
Now, though, the situation looks a lot different. It’s September, and Hughes still hasn’t signed an extension in Minnesota.
Chris Johnston of TSN said the uncertainty has lingered all summer.
“My understanding of this situation through the summer is I think he was having trouble basically making up his mind about what he wants to do for his future," Johnston began. "There’s a desire that we’ve known for years to one day play with his brothers.
I think he did enjoy his Minnesota experience...but he’s going to have to make a call on what’s best. And at least to this point I don’t think that has been committed to or something he’s ready to do.”
That’s exactly why Detroit may have dodged a massive mistake. If Yzerman had forced the issue and sent out a package built around Simon Edvinsson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Marco Kasper and a first-round pick, the Red Wings would have been taking on huge risk for a player who still might not stay.
And that’s before even getting into Dylan Larkin’s trade request, which could still have landed in Yzerman’s lap.
Bill Guerin and the Wild are the ones sitting under the brightest spotlight now, because Hughes’ future remains unsettled and the pressure to build a winner is only getting louder.
For Detroit, the bigger picture is simple: even if Hughes had arrived, the payoff might not have changed much. The Red Wings might have squeaked into the playoffs, but based on what the Ottawa Senators showed against the Carolina Hurricanes, they likely would have been swept without much resistance.
There is still a chance Hughes signs with Minnesota. But with each passing day, that possibility looks slimmer. And if Johnston’s read is correct, the pull to play with Jack and Luke Hughes in New Jersey remains very much in play.
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