The Red Wings would send Axel-Sandin Pellikka to Vancouver to acquire Quinn Hughes

The Detroit Red Wings could use their former 1st-round pick, and elite defensive prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka, to put themselves in win-now territory.

In an intriguing trade proposal between themselves and the Vancouver Canucks the two teams could combine for a one-for-one player swap.

If the Detroit Red Wings want to become playoff contenders, they could acquire the former 8th overall pick in 2018.

Hughes is the Canucks top defenseman and Captain. He's played a total of 433 games in the NHL and scored 409 points (59-350).

Hughes would be another player who could plug a hole in the lineup and give the team some more flexibility on the blueline.

He could occupy the spot that Ben Chiarot (RD) is now and add some elite talent next to Moritz Seide. The prospect of acquiring Hughes won't be cheap, as he comes with a $7.85 million cap hit for the next two years.

For Steve Yzerman and company, that would be an affordable gamble, because he'd elevate the team's play across the board.

The prospect of parting ways with Axel Sandin-Pellikka could be troubling, considering the team wants to win in the future, too. But with the Canucks being potential sellers at the upcoming deadline, he won't come cheap, and Stanley Cups don't either.

Sandin-Pellikka has a bright future ahead of him in the NHL, and if Steve Yzerman were bold enough to make this happen, we could see them back in the playoffs for good.