The Detroit Red Wings’ pursuit of Quinn Hughes is now a matter of historical record. The superstar defenseman went to the Minnesota Wild. The Red Wings were unable to land the coveted player; end of story.

Now, we’re in the realm of what-ifs. And one of those what-ifs comes from notable insider Elliotte Friedman. In the latest edition of his 32 Thoughts Podcast, Friedman regretted the Red Wings not landing Hughes, but not for the reasons you may think.

Friedman stated this reason as his rationale for regretting a Red Wings’ acquisition of Hughes: “I would have loved to have seen what a Quinn Hughes-Moritz Seider pairing would have looked like, lefty-righty.”

The thought is enough to send Red Wings fans to nirvana, and the rest of the NHL heading for their Pepto. The combination of rolling out two of the league’s best blueliners in a single pair could have given the Wings one of the most powerful punches in the league.

Alas, that was not the case. But Friedman’s comments speak volumes about why adding Quinn Hughes would have been the ultimate strike Detroit could have made to stake its claim on the Atlantic Division.

Seider earning respect in Red Wings locker room

Friedman’s co-host, Kyle Bukauskas, added his impressions on what Moritz Seider means to the Red Wings. He added the following comment on Seider’s influence on the team: “The other thing, too, about Seider, great player, proud guy, and I think he plays a style that earns a lot of respect in the room.”

Bukauskas’ comments underscore the type of leader Seider has become in Detroit. The talk, of course, revolves around Dylan Larkin’s role as the Red Wings’ captain. But if there was a player who could easily take over for Larkin as captain, it’s Seider.

The Red Wings never really needed Quinn Hughes because they have Moritz Seider. The 24-year-old’s role on the club has become one of the quietest, under-the-radar leadership parts in the NHL.

Naturally, adding Hughes could have been the piece to catapult the Red Wings into the next level. But then again, time may prove that the Red Wings did the right thing by passing on Hughes.

It may have been disappointing not to get him this season. But when looking at the bigger picture, it’s a good thing the Wings didn’t give up all those players just to get Hughes.

One last thing: That Seider-Hughes pairing could still happen. The dream can live a little longer until Hughes signs a new contract with any club except the Red Wings.