Insiders discuss a Quinn Hughes scenario involving a Maple Leafs division rival
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
On Daily Faceoff Live, David Pagnotta discussed Jeff Marek's idea of Quinn Hughes one day ending up with the Detroit Red Wings, and how possible it really is.
Jeff Marek previously brought up the potential that the Detroit Red Wings could seriously pursue Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes on a recent episode of his podcast The Sheet.
Marek stated:
I think we're all marrying Quinn Hughes to the Devils, and dollars to donuts says he probably ends up there if he goes; if you're the Red Wings...do you not take a real swing at this? If/when he becomes available?
It would be a landscape-shaping trade, and with the Red Wings neck-and-neck in the standings and only three points out of first place right now; they could decide to push all in.
Marek floated the idea that Detroit might eventually be the kind of team willing to make that kind of swing and NHL insider David Pagnotta has backed up Marek's opinion.
What insiders actually said about Quinn Hughes and the Detroit Red Wings
Appearing on Daily Faceoff Live, Pagnotta explained to co-hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton that Marek's insistence that the Red Wings make a splash isn't too farfetched.
Pagnotta stated:
I think they have the pieces. I know everything's getting hyped up with Detroit and everything. [Jeff] Marek was the first one to throw that out last week about Detroit being a team to keep an eye on, and I think that's the case.
With Quinn Hughes, I still maintain that I'd be surprised if anything happens this season. That being said, I think Detroit has the pieces to make something work.
With Quinn Hughes, I still maintain that I'd be surprised if anything happens this season. That being said, I think Detroit has the pieces to make something work.
Pagnotta stopped short of naming specific players that Detroit could trade away, however did try and narrow down the type of package it would take for them to acquire Hughes.
If Vancouver is willing to take a significant package that doesn't necessarily lead to a proven young star in the NHL right now, but a couple pieces that have tasted the NHL that are ready to make that jump, I think that's something that Vancouver would entertain.
If you're going in that direction, three to four significant pieces in a package in order to pry Quinn Hughes out of there. I think that's a possibility in terms of Detroit having the assets, but I still think it's premature in terms of Vancouver's willingness to even entertain that thought with any team.
If you're going in that direction, three to four significant pieces in a package in order to pry Quinn Hughes out of there. I think that's a possibility in terms of Detroit having the assets, but I still think it's premature in terms of Vancouver's willingness to even entertain that thought with any team.
Hughes' name has come up in occasional speculative trade chatter this season, but Vancouver has not publicly made him available.
That kind of package usually means a first-round pick, a top prospect, and at least one young roster player; all things that Detroit hold their fair share of.
How Quinn Hughes on the Detroit Red Wings would change the Atlantic for the Maple Leafs
First and foremost, Hughes is one of the best defensemen in the world and his elite offensive contributions make him one of the most dangerous two-way defensemen in the league.
That alone will make your team better overall, but he would be coming onto a squad with some serious firepower already. Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin, Alex Debrincat, and even Patrick Kane are playing outstanding right now, and adding Hughes would make them even better.
Plus, you're adding a 26-year-old Hughes to a defense that's still young with Mo Seider (24), Axel-Sandin Pellikka (20), and Simon Edvinsson (22), so their back end is going to be secured for a long time.
As the Maple Leafs finally gather their footing and start playing better, the last thing they need is a team like Detroit loading up, especially since they don't have nearly as many assets to get a deal done themselves.
Hughes has dominated the Maple Leafs in his career, with 18 points in 17 games (2 goals, 16 assists) though he's a minus-13; he's played against the top stars and has been successful offensively, but tends to get a bit burned by them in his own end.
They'll see him regardless of whether he's with Vancouver or Detroit, as both teams are set to face Toronto in the near future.
But it would certainly feel a lot better for Toronto if he did so while a member of the Canucks, as it wouldn't hurt Toronto as badly in the standings, which is exactly what would happen if he were a Red Wing.
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