Amidst swirling trade rumors surrounding Vancouver Canucks' star defenseman Quinn Hughes, an NHL insider suggests that an Atlantic Division team should aggressively pursue him. While speculation has heavily linked Hughes to the New Jersey Devils, where his brothers Jack and Luke already play, other teams shouldn't be deterred from entering the fray.
The insider, Jeff Marek, along with former NHL executive Pierre McGuire, are imploring Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings to make a significant push for the Norris Trophy winner. Marek stated, "If you're Yzerman, do you not take a real swing at this if/when he becomes available?". McGuire echoed this sentiment, saying, "The answer is yeah, you do… Detroit's got to be in the mix".
Hughes has ties to the University of Michigan, having played college hockey there, and his family spends considerable time near Detroit during the summer. Beyond the geographical connections, the Red Wings are a team on the rise with several promising pieces in place but are missing that true superstar, a void that Hughes could fill.
While the Red Wings have had a decent start to the 2025-26 season, currently holding the second position in the Atlantic Division, fans are eager for General Manager Steve Yzerman to make impactful moves to solidify their playoff contention. Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has even expressed his dissatisfaction with Yzerman's inactivity at previous trade deadlines. Acquiring Hughes would undoubtedly address this desire for a significant addition.
However, any potential trade for Hughes would require the Red Wings to part with valuable assets, potentially including young players Detroit is hesitant to trade. Recent reports suggest that the Canucks would seek "immediate star value" in return for Hughes, with Lucas Raymond's name frequently mentioned as a potential centerpiece. Other promising prospects like Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson, and Axel Sandin-Pellikka could also be of interest to Vancouver.
Despite the enticing prospect of acquiring Hughes, some argue that such a move would deviate from Yzerman's established pattern of avoiding blockbuster trades. Throughout his tenures with both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Red Wings, Yzerman has generally preferred a more measured approach to team building.
Adding another high-caliber defenseman like Hughes could significantly impact the team's defense. While the most discussed scenario involves a trade to the New Jersey Devils, which could reunite Quinn with his brothers, the question remains when a deal will materialize and what teams would be willing to offer.
Elliotte Friedman has weighed in on what might unfold if the Canucks entertain trading Hughes. "I do think there are teams that if Quinn Hughes is available, they're not gonna screw around; they're gonna come at you," Friedman said. He also predicted that these conversations might happen soon.
Jeff Marek speculated on the potential package the Devils would need to offer, suggesting that Simon Nemec, Dawson Mercer, and a draft pick might be the starting point. The Canucks might ask for a lot from the Devils, and some speculate they might acquire Jesper Bratt and Simon Nemec, along with draft picks.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the Vancouver Canucks' management. While they have stated that trading Hughes is not a priority, the team's performance and Hughes' long-term intentions will likely influence their stance as the trade deadline approaches. Until then, teams like the Detroit Red Wings should seriously consider "swinging big" for a player of Hughes' caliber.
