The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted a mock draft in which she picked Quinn Hughes as the Red Wings’ 6th overall draft pick, and St. James explained her reasoning for making that pick:
I selected Hughes because he’s a dynamic skater, a great puck transporter, a gifted player who held his own as the youngest player in NCAA Division I hockey in 2017-18. He was third in scoring at Michigan with 29 points (five goals, 24 assists) in 37 games, along with a plus-14 rating.
I spoke to [U of M coach Mel] Pearson about what makes Hughes so special.
“His skating is incredible,” Pearson said. “The way he uses his edges — he’s so light on feet, he can stop and change direction on a dime. He can go back and get the puck and it’ll look like there isn’t much room, but because of his ability, he escapes. He thinks the game so well, and then with the way he can move his feet, it makes him a very special player. He brings you out of your seat.”
Before recruiting Hughes to play at the World Championship in May, U.S. assistant Dan Bylsma called Pearson to find out how Hughes handled power-play responsibilities (Wings coach Jeff Blashill, who was the U.S. head coach, also wanted to know).
“He ran our power play, ran our breakout,” Pearson said. “I talked to coach Blashill after the tournament and he said Quinn was great there. He has a heavy shot from the point, so he’s got the makings of a really good power play specialist. And being able to get the puck in the zone, he is so good at that. He controls the play. He demands the puck, he wants the puck, he is very confident when he has it.”
I’m getting the feeling that Hughes isn’t going to be available. If Montreal selects Kotkeniemi with the 3rd then there’s a chance. Ottawa is high on Tkachuk. That leaves Zadina for Arizona which would be hard to pass up. That’s the only real situation in which I’d see Hughes falling to Det. If he goes, that would leave Tkachuk/Zadina available which would be a perfect situation for Det to trade down. EDM looks like a likely candidate as they’re looking for scoring on the wing. Say what you want about Kenny, Chia is a much worse gm. Let’s hope he fleeces him!
Luker
June 15, 2018 at 7:20 AM
I think you might be right on Hughes. He is a bit light physically and his path to the NHL might be a bit longer. But he will be a high level NHL D Man.
KH trading anywhere worries me!