Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Here’s a mock trade that’s realistic in which the Detroit Red Wings acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks.
With recent trade rumors surrounding defenseman Quinn Hughes, the Detroit Red Wings have been at the forefront of the conversation.
As a former Michigan Wolverine, with parents who live in the state during the summer, he’s been linked to the Original Six team by NHL insiders. But the discussion centers around the move happening, but not what kind of assets the team would exchange for the Canucks’ top defenseman.
The former 7th overall pick in 2018 would require a haul from the Red Wings, and even if a trade were to occur, Hughes wouldn’t be able to sign an extension until July 1st, 2026.
With no sign-and-trade able to be completed and no guarantees, this is a troubling scenario for the teams interested in Hughes. Despite this, Hughes remains a trade target for the Red Wings.
What would the Detroit Red Wings have to give up to acquire defenseman Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks?
Tony Wolak of The Hockey Writers has an interesting mock trade that gives us an idea of the kind of assets it would require to acquire Quinn Hughes in a trade:Detroit gets LD. Quinn Hughes
Vancouver gets: C Nate Danielson, G Trey Augustine, LD Albert Johansson, LW Max Plante, and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick.
To acquire Hughes, the Red Wings will have to open up their treasure chest of prospects to make it happen. It would cost two first-rounders, with Danielson and the 2026 1st-round pick being a part of the deal.
Danielson would satisfy their need to add to their center depth while acquiring Trey Augustine, who was pegged to be the Red Wings’ former starting goalie (essentially another 1st-rounder).
The Canucks would receive Johansson and Plante, who have some upside in both 2nd-round picks.
Augustine would be a huge sacrifice for the Red Wings and could be the Canucks’ future starting goalie that could take over for Thatcher Demko. He’s expected to turn pro in 2026-27.
The Red Wings would add left-handed defenseman Albert Johansson to the deal, giving the team more balance on their blueline, allowing them to be flexible with veteran Marcus Pettersson moving him up to play on the top-pair with Filip Hronek.
For the Original Six team, defenseman Quinn Hughes would slot into the left alongside Moritz Seider and add another dynamic player to a lineup that is aiming for the playoffs.
With a logjam in goaltending in Detroit, would this be an acceptable move for you?
Previously on Detroit Hockey Insider