The Detroit Red Wings whiffed on that June day in 2018 when they could have secured University of Michigan freshman Quinn Hughes by simply saying his name into a microphone.

Owning the No. 6 pick in the NHL draft, GM Ken Holland ignored Hughes and drafted Filip Zadina. Today, Hughes is one of the league’s premium defensemen while Zadina is playing in the Swiss National League.

But seven years later the Red Wings may have a chance to right a wrong from their history. We have to say “may” because there are too many variables to say for sure they will get a legitimate chance.

The Canucks sit 30th in the NHL’s 32-team league and have let it be known that they may soon be moving out some players to launch a renovation project on the franchise. The word is that their captain Hughes is not one of the players they hope to move — at least not yet.

Is Hughes Destined for New Jersey?

Hughes becomes an unrestricted free agent after next season, and the Canucks will undoubtedly make a serious effort to re-sign him. But he could decide he wants to play elsewhere. There has been considerable speculation about Hughes wanting to join brothers Jack and Luke in New Jersey.

All we know for sure is that the Canucks cannot let him leave without landing a significant return. That’s why there’s considerable speculation that several teams will make an effort to trade for the 2024 Norris Trophy winner.

The Red Wings have been listed as one of those teams, not because there are any reports of talks between the Red Wings and Canucks. They are listed because there is considerable logic to the idea of Detroit making a call.

Leaving aside the history that their fan base is still angry over the decision to take Zadina, there are reasons to believe Quinn Hughes would want to play in Detroit, including the fact he lived here when he was playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program and at Michigan.

Ties to Michigan

Second, his parents live in Michigan and their three NHL sons all spend time in Michigan because of that. The Red Wings now have a collection of American-born players, led by Dylan Larkin who is highly respected in the American program. Larkin could be Detroit’s best salesperson. Likewise, Patrick Kane’s presence could help.

Of course, recruitment issues only matter for the process of re-signing him after you trade for him. Quinn Hughes doesn’t have a no-trade clause, meaning the Canucks can trade him anywhere.

That certainly doesn’t disqualify the Red Wings because they may be willing to provide the Canucks with the high caliber young players they desire. If they acquire the 26-year-old puck mover Hughes, they could part with Axel Sandin-Pellikka. Nate Danielson. Trey Augustine. Dmitri Sebastian Cossa. Their list is long on possibilities. Plus, they may be willing to trade their 2026 first round pick.

What they would give obviously would be dependent upon their ability to talk to Hughes before the trade to make sure he would consider re-signing here.

The Red Wings desire him because he’s a transformative player. He would help the team both offensively and defensively. They would look completely different with him quarterbacking the offense. But they are looking to buy, not rent. They would want him long-term. If he does want to play with his brothers in New Jersey, there is no reason to acquire him. A one-year lease makes no sense, not for what it will cost them.