After the Detroit Red Wings’ quarter-century playoff appearance streak ended in 2017, the team had hoped to restart that streak in 2018. It turns out the only good thing was opening their new Little Caesars Arena, and getting a first round pick this year for Tomas Tatar from Las Vegas.
The Red Wings playoff drought has extended to two years and, with the sixth pick, the team has their highest draft pick since taking Keith Primeau third overall in 1990. 
Last year, the Red Wings passed on some highly regarded defensemen with the ninth pick, taking big center Michael Rasmussen, although five of the team’s 11 picks were blueliners. This year, don’t expect Detroit to pass on defense in the top 10.
The Red Wings are not stocked with NHL-ready defenseman in their system, although don’t be surprised in Vili Saarijarvi, Dennis Cholowski or Filip Hronek all make a charge at a roster spot. Mike Green will not be back in 2018, Niklas Kronwall will likely be done after the 2018-19 season, and the youngest regular on the blueline is 27-year-old Nick Jensen.
What the blueline lacks — and won’t be helped by the expected departure of Green — is an elite skater and puck-mover. Enter Quinn Hughes.
Hughes is considered one of the best skaters in the draft and has excellent vision in his ability to see the ice. He just finished his freshman season at the University of Michigan, picking up 29 points in 34 games on his way to making the All-Big Ten second team and freshman team. He was the youngest player to make Team USA for the World Championships, where he played all 10 games for coach Jeff Blashill — also the Red Wings coach.
Hughes also comes from a hockey family. His father captained Providence College, his mother was a three-sport athlete at the University of New Hampshire and was on the U.S. women’s national team that won silver at the 1992 World Championships, and his two younger brothers, Jack and Luke, are fast-rising prospects who may get drafted higher than Quinn in their draft years.
The Red Wings have game-breakers (or potential game-breakers) among their forwards. Quinn Hughes will be the game-breaker that their defensive-corps lacks.
“With the 6th pick of the 2018 NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings select from the University of Michigan, defenseman Quinn Hughes.”
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