The hubbub surrounding a potential trade involving the Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes has picked up of late. The rationale lies in the connection between Hughes and Michigan. In particular, Hughes played for the University of Michigan during his NCAA days.
That link is what has motivated some pundits to push the idea of the Red Wings being serious players for Hughes. While Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman would be remiss if he didn’t kick the tires on Hughes, the fact is that Detroit doesn’t need Hughes.
The Wings have a cadre of up-and-coming blueliners. Most notably, Axel Sandin-Pellikka has looked promising for Detroit. That, plus incumbents Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, headline what could be one of the best blue lines for years to come.
With that in mind, the Red Wings don’t really need Quinn Hughes to be successful. The club has pieces to ice a competitive team for the foreseeable future. Pulling off a trade of this magnitude would mean taking away from said pieces and committing to a single superstar player.
Red Wings Could Go All-In on Hughes
Not too many generational blueliners hit the market. When they do, pretty much every team in the league does its due diligence. One can imagine that just about every GM in the league will talk to the Vancouver Canucks about Hughes’ availability.
Interest will vary from team to team, naturally. But a team like the Red Wings, which some believe is in a better spot to land Hughes, could push harder than others.
But then again, there would have to be a commitment on the part of the Red Wings to mortgage part of their future on a once-in-a-generation type of defenseman.
Now, some might think: Well, isn’t that the point in stockpiling so many prospects?
Yes, that is a valid point. But the Red Wings would not only have to jettison prospects, but also commit a substantial chunk of their cap space to Hughes’ extension. Hughes looks like a bargain now at $7.85 million. But who knows what his next contract will look like?
What if the Red Wings had to commit somewhere around $12 million or more for Hughes? Is that something Yzerman and the club can stomach?
Detroit’s Pursuit of Hughes Would Mean Seider Is Not Their Guy
The logic behind pursuing Quinn Hughes lies in going after a player of his caliber if and when he’s available. But it would also send a message that Moritz Seider is not the Red Wings’ guy. Seider is the team’s top blueliner. But if the team viewed him as a legit number-one defenseman, they wouldn’t necessarily go gaga over Hughes.
Therein lies part of the dilemma. If the Red Wings believe Seider is their guy, the team may not be willing to pony up for Hughes. Seider is the guy, and that’s that.
But then again, who wouldn’t gladly move Seider for Hughes? That’s a debate that the Red Wings will likely have internally. If the Wings really do have a legitimate shot at Hughes, fans can expect the rumor mill to grind hard in Michigan.
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