Could Quinn Hughes Be the Missing Piece in Detroit? Trade Buzz Heats Up as Vancouver Struggles
Quinn Hughes is once again at the center of NHL trade talk - and this time, the chatter has real traction. On Monday’s episode of The Jeff Marek Show, the spotlight turned to the Vancouver Canucks’ star defenseman, and whether Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman should take a big swing at acquiring him.
Let’s be clear: Hughes isn’t just a top-pairing defenseman - he is Vancouver’s defensive engine. With 22 points in 21 games this season, he leads the Canucks in assists and continues to log heavy minutes against top competition. But despite his individual brilliance, the Canucks are slipping, and that’s opened the door to questions about his future in British Columbia.
A Michigan Connection That Can’t Be Ignored
There’s a natural fit between Hughes and Detroit that goes beyond just hockey sense. He’s got deep roots in Michigan - he played his college hockey at the University of Michigan, and his family has longstanding ties to the area. That kind of connection matters, especially when you’re talking about building a long-term core around a player who’s already proven he can thrive in a high-pressure role.
NHL analyst Pierre McGuire believes Detroit should absolutely be in the mix. In his words, “You bring in news, you ignite that marketplace.”
And he’s not wrong - Detroit hasn’t played truly meaningful hockey since the 2014-15 season. Adding a player of Hughes’ caliber wouldn’t just help on the ice - it would electrify the fan base and signal that the rebuild is shifting into a new phase.
The Case for Detroit
The Red Wings are hovering around the middle of the Atlantic Division with a 13-11-2 record. Dylan Larkin is leading the charge offensively with 29 points and 14 goals, while Lucas Raymond continues to impress as a playmaker with 19 assists.
But the team’s defensive structure? Still a work in progress.
Detroit’s penalty kill has been shaky, and they’re giving up more goals than they’d like. That’s where Hughes comes in.
He’s not just a puck-mover - he’s a play-driver. He controls tempo, transitions smoothly out of the zone, and can quarterback a power play with elite vision.
He’s the kind of player who doesn’t just fill a need - he reshapes the way your team plays.
McGuire also pointed out that the Red Wings have done a solid job stockpiling prospects - a nod to what he called the “green banana bus.” Some of those young players have blossomed, others are still developing.
But at some point, you need to convert potential into production. A player like Hughes could be the catalyst for that leap.
New Jersey Still in the Mix
While Detroit has the connections and the need, McGuire still sees the New Jersey Devils as the frontrunner - at least for now. They’ve got a young core, a clear identity, and a front office that’s shown it’s willing to be aggressive.
But that doesn’t mean the Red Wings are out of it. Far from it.
If Yzerman decides to make a bold move, he has the assets - and the ownership support - to pull it off. According to Sportico, the Red Wings are valued at $2.11 billion, and McGuire believes the organization would welcome a headline-grabbing addition like Hughes.
What’s Next?
As long as Vancouver continues to struggle, the trade rumors around Hughes won’t die down. And while nothing is imminent, the groundwork is being laid. Detroit and New Jersey are the two teams most often linked to him - and for good reason.
For the Red Wings, Hughes isn’t just a fit - he’s a potential franchise-shifter. A move like this would mark a turning point, not just in this season, but in the trajectory of the rebuild. The question now is whether Yzerman is ready to turn potential into progress - and take the kind of swing that could bring playoff hockey back to Detroit in a big way.