[QUOTE=Kontact;22848174]Hubs and BBs generally grab cartridge bearings by the inner race, so no amount of compression is going to affect the relationship of the inner and outer race. That's why you won't see it with your QR. In the same way, you can't adjust play out of such a hub bearing.[/QUOTE
Outer race is captured by the hub, compress the shaft the inners move loser together while the outers remain stationary and they will no longer be aligned. They will bind.
You're right in saying that skewers are no where near strong enough to compress the axle.