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Trusted NHL insider reveals why the Detroit Red Wings did not have a chance at landing Quinn Hughes


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Marshall Stinson
December 18, 2025  (12:48)
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Insider Reveals why the Detroit Red Wings did not get Quinn Hughes
Photo credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Wild came out of nowhere to acquire Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks, and for a while the Detroit Red Wings were one of the frontrunners, but NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has the answers on why the deal fell through.

According to him, while it is speculative, the Red Wings did not want to include Simon Edvinsson in the trade talks.
"While it's still probably too early to say, it wouldn't shock anyone if the New Jersey Devils are the frontrunner for Quinn Hughes, because his brothers Jack and Luke suit up for the club, but there are other teams interested as well including the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings."-Jaxon

Why did the Detroit Red Wings fail with Quinn Hughes?

Nestor Quixtan of Octopus Thrower reported on the lack of progress between the two teams for trading Hughes. While all the rumours had the Red Wings as a big contender for him, in reality talks didn't get very far.
"The Canucks got rookie Zeev Buium from the Minnesota Wild to potentially replace Hughes on their blue line. So, it makes sense that the Canucks wanted someone similar from the Red Wings. While Detroit wasn't going to give up Moritz Seider, there's a good chance that Edvisson could have been the piece in question."-Quixtan

For the Red Wings as well, re-signing Hughes would have been a tall task, while they experienced some early season success, sitting atop the Atlantic division, with how tight the conference is, one bad week and the Red Wings could see themselves out of a playoff position. Meanwhile the Wild are clear contenders this season, they have all the pieces needed to win the Stanley Cup and now they added Hughes as the icing on the cake. Hughes is more likely to sign in Minnesota than Detroit.
"In light of what the Wild gave up to land Hughes, it makes sense that the Red Wings ultimately passed. There wasn't any point in making this deal happen now. And, frankly, the Red Wings aren't in the desperate situation the Wild are."-Quixtan

The Red Wings may have dodged a bullet altogether with Hughes, if he doesn't sign in Minnesota, and the Wild do not win a Cup in the two years he's there, it'll be a failed trade for them. And the Red Wings can keep their promising prospects watching it all happen.
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DECEMBRE 18|1928 ANSWERS
Trusted NHL insider reveals why the Detroit Red Wings did not have a chance at landing Quinn Hughes

Did the Detroit Red Wings make the right move in not pursuing Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks any further?

Yes110057.1 %
No82842.9 %
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