Oilers pursuing 50-point NCAA star for free agent contract

The Edmonton Oilers are keeping their eye on a Michigan Wolverines star.

TJ Hughes has never been drafted, and so he's a college free agent. When his Michigan career is done, he can sign with an NHL team.

The Oilers are apparently interested.

NHL insider Jeff Marek shared on a recent podcast that the Oilers took an in-person scouting look at Hughes recently.

Hughes is a 24-year old center who hails from Hamilton, Ontario.

This season, he has 50 points in 36 games, and the Wolverines are still alive chasing a national title.

Hughes has also won more than 55% of the faceoffs in his college career.

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Given his two-way potential, Hughes could contribute in the NHL sooner rather than later. Even if the scoring doesn't come around immediately, he can impact the game in a number of different ways.

It's hard to know how many NHL teams might want to sign Hughes (who is not related to the league's three Hughes brothers).

Given that he's just a free agent, a whole bunch of the league could be after Hughes, seeing in him the same traits that make the Oilers interested.

That could mean Edmonton has to make a solid sales pitch. If the Oilers can do so, this could be a quality addition that comes without much potential downside.

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