T.J. Hughes drawing heavy NHL interest from Canadian teams

Hughes is 24, undrafted, right-shot, 6-foot and 183 pounds, which matters because a club can sell him a one-year entry-level deal for 2026-27, not a long stash plan. No team or bonus structure has been reported yet.

This isn't just late college free-agent noise. It's a low-cost roster play for teams that want a mature center who can take draws, survive special teams, and move faster than a teenager in the fall.

The tweet that lit this up is below, and the timing matters because Hughes is coming off a season that forced NHL front offices to revisit last spring's pass.

D'Amico reported a double-digit number of teams are expected to pursue him, with the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens among those believed to be in the mix.

The Jets, Senators, Flames and Canucks could also be involved.

Hughes didn't just produce. He posted 21 goals and 35 assists in 39 games while handling key defensive work, which is why this market feels wider than a pure offense bet.

Montreal has the cleanest hockey pitch because Hughes already plays with Michael Hage at Michigan, so the organization can sell familiarity and a quicker read on role projection.

Edmonton and Toronto can pitch something different: opportunity without spending an asset. That matters for contenders trying to add center depth and keep flexibility for bigger summer business.

Naurato's public backing is a big part of the story. He called Hughes pro-ready and trustworthy in any situation, which is exactly the language NHL coaches and managers want to hear in April.

Hughes looks like the kind of signing who can push for NHL games soon, or at minimum give a team cheap call-up depth with real center detail.

That's why this race has more bite than a routine UFA chase. Hughes bet on himself, won the year, and now teams are bidding on readiness as much as scoring.