Detroit – One of the worst draft mistakes the Red Wings – and several other teams – made occurred in 2018.
The Wings passed on defenseman Quinn Hughes and instead picked forward Filip Zadina. Other teams, too, passed on Hughes, who starred at Michigan. Hughes went seventh overall to Vancouver, one pick after the Wings took Zadina.
How did all that turn out?
Zadina is now playing in Europe, having washed out in the NHL. As for Hughes, he won the Norris Trophy (best defenseman) in 2024, was a finalist for Calder Trophy (best rookie) in 2020, has been named to the NHL First Team (2024) and Second Team (2025) during his career. Hughes became the fastest defenseman in NHL history to get 200 assists by reaching the number in only 263 games.
But maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance for the Wings to rectify the mistake when it comes to Hughes.
They’ll get a chance to see Hughes, 26, up close Monday when the Wings visit Vancouver (10 p.m., FDSN/97.1). But who knows, maybe in the future it’ll be Hughes and the Wings visiting Vancouver.
Detroit is among the teams being mentioned as a possible destination for Hughes, who will be an unrestricted free agent after next season. He earns an average of $7.825 million annually and has been non-committal about remaining in Vancouver.
Along with playing collegiately at Michigan, Hughes’ parents live in Metro Detroit and he spends much of the summer in the area. The Wings also, potentially, have the assets that could intrigue the Canucks in a trade. Vancouver, reportedly, wants a center and blue-chip prospects, along with first-round picks.
The Wings could make something work if that’s the framework for a possible deal.
The Wings have centers Nate Danielson and Marco Kasper, along with defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, all of whom are playing in the NHL and are generally considered to be among the better prospects in the league. If a trade were to occur, it’s likely the Wings have to include at least two of those players in a package back to Vancouver.
Hughes’ contract would also have to be extended, with a significant upward bump, as the Wings (or any other team) wouldn’t want to risk losing Hughes to free agency in the summer of 2027 if he were to reach unrestricted free agency.
But while Wings fans might be dreaming about seeing an impact star such as Hughes in a Wings jersey, you can press the brake pedal on all this for now.
Many analysts think the Wings and every other team are strong second-place candidates to the New Jersey Devils regarding Hughes trade speculation.
The Devils, of course, have Hughes’ brothers Jack and Luke already in their lineup. It’s been rumored for many years that the three brothers would love the opportunity to play together on the same team. Jack and Luke have contracts that run through 2029-30, and 2031-32, respectively with the Devils, who would be eager to make a trade work.
Elliotte Friedman, the Hockey Night in Canada and Sportsnet insider, has mentioned the Wings as a team to watch regarding Quinn Hughes trade discussions. But Friedman also noted Saturday night during the “Saturday Headlines” segment of HNIC, the Devils and Canucks have recently had discussions about Quinn Hughes.
“I do not believe there is anything imminent, I don’t even know that they’re anywhere far along,” Friedman said. “But I do believe that a conversation was had about where things stand and where they might be going.”
Quinn Hughes was asked about the report after the Canucks’ victory Saturday.
“It wasn’t like if there was a call that me, Jim (Rutherford) and (Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald) hopped on a call,” Hughes said. “I wasn’t a part of that. But obviously I’m aware that things like that could happen.”
Red Wings at Canucks
▶ Faceoff: 10 p.m. Monday, Rogers Arena, Vancouver
▶ TV/radio: FDSN/97.1
▶ Notable: The Wings (15-11-3) play their third game in a season-long six-game road trip, making their only visit to Vancouver (11-15-3). … The Canucks defeated Minnesota Saturday, ending a four-game losing streak. … Vancouver ranks last in the NHL, allowing 3.59 goals per game. … Leading scorer C Elias Pettersson (14 assists, 22 points) is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
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