Report: Oilers interested in Michigan free agent forward T.J. Hughes
“I know that Edmonton was in to see Michigan the other day and have an eyeball certainly at TJ Hughes,” Marek said. “Classic late-bloomer … someone will sign TJ Hughes.”
A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Hughes is currently in his fourth season with the Wolverines. He has no relation to the Hughes brothers currently playing in the NHL. Serving as captain in Michigan this year, Hughes is enjoying a career-best college season, with 19 goals and 50 points through 36 games played.
That strong offensive production is attracting interest in the 24-year-old, including from the Oilers, Marek reported.
“Normally when you sign college players, you’re not getting offensively gifted college players. Forwards, I’m talking about specifically,” Marek said. “Not so much with TJ Hughes. With TJ Hughes, you’re getting someone that is offensively gifted and can walk in and start to produce. I don’t know if he can produce at the NHL level right away, but unlike a lot of the other college free agents that we all fall over ourselves about at this time of year, Hughes scores. That’s what makes him so attractive to a lot of teams. You’re getting an offensive side to this kid that you’re not getting with other college free agents in this class or previous classes as well.”
The University of Michigan is currently the top-ranked team in college hockey, with a 28-7-1 record this season. NCAA D1 hockey playoffs begin later this month, and wrap with the Frozen Four in Las Vegas from April 9-11.
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