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If Not Quinn Hughes, Who Should Detroit Pursue?

Originally posted on Inside The Rink
By Alexander DeBerardinis | Last updated Dec 12, 2025 3:15 PM ET

It’s no surprise the market has one major big fish right now. While Detroit is among the frontrunners to land the Norris trophy winner, they are still second place by a lot to New Jersey. This Red Wings roster could still use a major addition. Despite their place in the standings, Toronto is finding their footing, Ottawa got their captain back, and Florida is never truly out of it. One more major piece could give Detroit the boost they need to hold onto their early playoff spot and hopefully break the curse come April. So, if not the big fish, who could Detroit go for?

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Jonathan Marchessault:

The 5’9″ winger is already thirty-five and is clearly on the decline. However, he carries a relatively manageable cap hit at 5.5M, which, while high, if Detroit can return him to form, it’ll be worth it. He’s been fairly sheltered this season and doesn’t play a huge role; he bounces around the lineup a lot. With four seasons left on his deal, the cost won’t be high. You could likely get two more years of Marchessault before putting him on LTIR, or having him retire from that. He would be a really good bottom-six winger on this team, keeping him sheltered and being an offensive upgrade who knows how to win.

Jamie Oleksiak:

The huge defenceman has been floated in Red Wings spaces before. Ultimately, he’s connected to Dallas, but Seattle won’t consider moving him until they’re comfortably out of it. If Detroit fancies themselves a playoff team, a more imposing presence on the blueline might help. He would force Johansson back to his off hand, which is fine. In a bottom-four role or as a guy who can play big minutes during an injury, Oleksiak can soothe Detroit’s inconsistent blueline.

Jordan Kyrou:

With Andrew Copp playing fantastically on the second line with Cat and Kane, Kyrou’s role is one that would be instantly odd. He’d be an expensive pickup, and while I think Detroit would have a dominant top 9 if Kyrou was playing beside Kasper on line three, I don’t think Detroit is chasing the acquisition cost for him to play there. Kyrou fits the timeline and is very talented, but while Detroit continues to bet on Patrick Kane to hold the second line, Kyrou probably wouldn’t be worth it, although the player is great.

Brenden Dillon:

Dillon is a big right-shot defenceman, and this trade is a little bit of cause and effect. New Jersey is cap-strapped, and if they want to keep Hughes, they’re going to be in serious cap trouble. Detroit could poach the thirty-five-year-old with two years left on his deal. He’d be a clear upgrade over Bernard-Docker and Hamonic while Detroit waits for Anton Johansson to make the NHL. Depending on what the Hughes trade looks like, I could see Detroit getting one of their defenceman (like Dillon) as a precursor to a New Jersey trade. Not to mention his offensive production is quite good and all at even strength.

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