Insider: Red Wings’ Stars Won’t Be Part of Quinn Hughes Trade

The Detroit Red Wings have recently emerged as a premier suitor for Quinn Hughes if and when Vancouver decides to pull the plug and trade their captain.

No team will ever equal or surpass the New Jersey Devils in terms of Hughes’ preferred landing spot, and understandably so. That being said, if anyone can keep up as a close second, it’s Detroit, where he played college hockey for the University of Michigan and where he and his family live and spend time in the summer.

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Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has said he expects the Red Wings to be squarely in the mix for Hughes, though after some speculation gained traction online, he made sure to mention that star forwards Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond will not be apart of any potential trade package going back to the Canucks.

Friedman said:

“I do think Detroit will be a potential match if the time ever comes… I started talking about centers and the Red Wings’ fans are like he’s talking about Larkin. I was not talking about Larkin. I don’t think there’s going to be a Quinn Hughes for Dylan Larkin deal out there. When the time comes, or if the time comes, yes, I do believe that Detroit will be a player, but I don’t think it’s going to be for like Raymond or Larkin,”

The 26-year-old Hughes is in year five of the six-year, $47.1 million extension he signed with the Canucks in 2021, which would give any acquiring team two playoff runs with his services before potential free agency after 2026-27.

Who Could the Detroit Red Wings Move for Quinn Hughes?

While Larkin and Raymond both won’t and shouldn’t be on the table, the question becomes who is an option for the Canucks to land in a deal sending Hughes to Detroit?

Friedman went on to mention the Red Wings’ young centers being intriguing for Vancouver, which would lead you to believe the likes of Marco Kasper, and Nate Danielson could be in play. Young defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka could also be a name of interest for Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin who are seeking to get younger.

It still remains up in the air whether a Hughes trade will in fact come to fruition during the 2025-26 season. However, if it does, very few teams in the NHL have the assortment of young players, prospects, and draft picks to pull of such a blockbuster than Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings.

Next: 3 Flyers Seen as Untouchable in Quinn Hughes Trade Talks