The Detroit Red Wings have had a strong start to the 2025-26 season, as they sat at or near the top of the Atlantic Division for most of the campaign. As of this writing, the Red Wings are 13-9-1 through 23 games this season, good enough for second place in the division. Red Wings fans can't really complain.
But after the previous two seasons where they barely missed out on a playoff berth, fans are going to want the team and general manager Steve Yzerman to go all-in at the trade deadline. Let's not forget that captain Dylan Larkin called out Yzerman for not making trades at the deadline last year. One name that will likely be at the top of fans' wish list is Quinn Hughes, defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks. But on Monday, Red Wings fans and those across the NHL received some bad news.
Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Canucks are "listening to offers" on veteran players in an effort to become a younger team. But, the Canucks ruled out trading Hughes now. An executive told Friedman said the Canucks "made it clear (trading him) is not their priority right now."
Quinn Hughes not available just yet as Canucks keep star off trade block
There were plenty of question marks surrounding Hughes' status with the Canucks. Hughes is due for a new contract after the 2026-27 season. Before this season, Hughes said his focus was on the Canucks to help them make the playoffs. But with the Canucks already planning on trading away veterans, the clock will only be ticking whether Hughes will demand a trade.
Hughes has links to the Red Wings. He played college hockey for the Michigan Wolverines, where he recorded 62 points in 69 games, while being named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten Conference first team in 2019. But there is more to the Red Wings link.
Ben Kuzma of The Province reported back in September that the Red Wings and "several other suitors" are keeping an eye on Hughes' status.
The Red Wings actually could have had Hughes back in 2018 had they elected to draft him with the sixth overall pick. Instead, they passed on him for Filip Zadina, who currently doesn't play in the NHL. Talk about a whiff of a decision.
But the Red Wings could right that wrong by either trading for Hughes if that becomes a reality, or potentially sign him in the summer of 2027.