Team USA is moving onto the semifinals, thanks in part to two players with Michigan ties. On Thursday, Team USA defeated Sweden in the quarterfinals 2-1. Dylan Larkin got the United States on the board first in the second period. In overtime, defenseman Quinn Hughes skated around Sweden and unleashed a wicked shot past goaltender Jacob Markstrom to secure their spot in the semifinals.
It was quite the game for Detroit Red Wings fans. Larkin scored a goal, Lucas Raymond had a primary assist on Mika Zibanejad's clutch tying goal late in the third period, and a former Michigan Wolverine in Hughes scored the game-winner. For Hughes, he was linked to the Red Wings when he was placed on the trade block by the Vancouver Canucks earlier in the year, before he was ultimately dealt to the Minnesota Wild. However, Hughes is set to hit free agency in the summer of 2027, so there is hope for teams like the Red Wings to get another shot at acquiring him.
After the game, Hughes did prop up the door a bit by praising Larkin during an interview with NHL Network's Jackie Redmond, calling him a mentor and relaying the advice he's received from the Red Wings captain.
Quinn Hughes opens the door for Red Wings again with praise of 'mentor' Dylan Larkin
“Larks has been like a big brother to me… I think I met him at a frat party when I was a freshman.
But he’s awesome… and I just follow from what a big heart Larks has. He’s always told me to pay it forward and I think that’s a great message," said Hughes, h/t Redmond.
Larkin and the Hughes family have a strong relationship, as Redmond notes that they all skate together during the NHL offseason. Not to mention, Quinn and Larkin both played for the University of Michigan and were part of the USA Hockey National Development Program in Plymouth, Mich. And now, Hughes just shared that he looks up to Larkin as a mentor after the two helped the United States defeat Sweden in Olympic hockey for the first time since 1960.
Before Hughes' trade to the Wild, Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the defenseman had a desire to be moved to the Red Wings. However, Friedman revealed that Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman was apprehensive about paying the high asking price for a trade without having a contract extension in place. Thus, Hughes was dealt to Minnesota.
Hughes is not eligible to sign a contract extension until July 1, and said that he is more focused on "the short-term" in Minnesota. If he were to hit free agency in 2027 without re-upping with the Wild, he would undoubtedly be the one of the most sought after players that summer alongside Nikita Kucherov and Sidney Crosby.
If Hughes does hit the open market, Yzerman and the Red Wings need to ensure they don't miss out on him.