I don’t know what to make of this one.
There was rampant speculation this past summer that the New Jersey Devils would manage to snag Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes somehow, to play alongside his brothers Jack and Luke, even though 25-year-old Quinn’s signed for two more seasons at $7.85 million per season.
The speculation was partially fueled by comments made by Vancouver Canucks president and former GM Jim Rutherford, who has always been open to trading superstars, and it was pretty weird stuff, but it was also the middle of the summer, and so people like to make up trade rumors.
Now, over the last week or two, the blogosphere and Twittersphere have begun to suggest that, somehow, the Red Wings could assuage drafting Filip Zadina instead of Evan Bouchard or Quinn way back in 2018, which was the last year that both Ken Holland and Tyler Wright were in charge of Detroit’s drafting.
The next year, of course, Detroit drafted a certain Moritz Seider, and he’s going nowhere…
But there’s still a theory that the Red Wings should go after Quinn Hughes, and Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff thinks that it would be pretty ironic and smart for the Red Wings to flip Axel Sandin Pellikka (plus whatever else is necessary–and yes, ASP was selected with the pick that the Wings got for sending Filip Hronek to Vancouver, so there’s some strange symmetry for you) to Vancouver for the Canucks’ captain:
The popular speculation is that Hughes would like to go to New Jersey for an on-ice family reunion with his brothers, Jack and Luke. However, coming to Detroit would also offer appeal. Hughes is from the area. He played with the USNTDP in Plymouth and later for the Michigan Wolverines.
“There are so many things, and you can spin it 100 different ways,” Canucks president and former Red Wings goalie Jim Rutherford told the Vancouver Province.
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is always talking about how he’s persistently on the lookout for ways to make his team better. He’s forever exploring options.
“We’re perpetually looking at ways to improve the team with options that may or may not be out there, and regarding trades, the cost to acquire the player, and do they fit in? You know things will come up along the way, and you just got to be prepared.”
If a chance to acquire Quinn Hughes were to come up, Yzerman should move heaven and earth to make it happen. Even if that meant giving up the top prospect in the Detroit pipeline.
Not only would Hughes make the Red Wings better, but his acquisition would make up for the hideous decision made at the 2018 NHL entry draft. Hughes was sitting there available when the Wings went to the podium to make the sixth overall pick. Instead, the team selected winger Filip Zadina with the sixth pick.
I don’t know what the hell to think of this. Duff is a sound hockey correspondent, author, and a wise man, and you “never say never” to trade rumors of even the wackiest variety in the NHL these days…
But I just don’t see it happening.
There are so many things that would have to go right for Hughes, who is going to be looking to hit a really hard home run with his next contract, to want to be traded, for one, to be sent to Detroit, for another thing…
And for the two teams to consummate a trade for a superstar, well, that would take at least ASP, a 1st round draft pick or two, and a really good roster player to happen–for starters. It’s Quinn Hughes we’re talking about here.
Could it happen? Sure. But it’s about as likely as Sydney Sweeney calling me up and asking me on a date.
I’d indelicately describe this as a fanciful flight of imagination on a Friday night just prior to the preseason. It’s not bullshit by any stretch, but it’s just not a realistic probability.
We can always hope. Hope is a good thing. But Sydney could very well find my number, I’m a fat bald guy who’s 19 years her senior, and I haven’t heard anything yet.
Maybe she’s trying to call Aunt Annie’s phone.
