The Edmonton Oilers are looking forward to another lengthy playoff run this season. Of course, the hope is that this run will have a much different ending. And Oilers rumors will also have a lengthy run.
Amid the hubbub of another Stanley Cup run, the club could be taking care of some major business. That business could be landing the NCAA’s biggest free agent this season.
The person of interest is Michigan Wolverines captain TJ Hughes. The undrafted center heads the list of college free agents believed to sign NHL contracts soon. The Oilers are among the frontrunners to land Hughes.
A report by Marco D’Amico in RG Media named the Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens as a trio of Canadian squads looking to ink the coveted free agent. While Oilers rumors may be grinding with chatter about Hughes, it’s worth pointing out that Edmonton is not alone.
As D’Amico noted, about a dozen teams will be in the mix to land the 24-year-old. But it’s not just that Hughes is an impressive talent. It’s that he’s about as NHL-ready as any prospect can get.
That’s why the Oilers could really use him.
Getting Hughes into the fold would allow the Oilers to add another young forward who can provide depth. This season, the Oilers have gotten decent contributions from Matthew Savoie, with Isaac Howard likely on the way, as well.
Throw Hughes into the mix, and the Oil could have one of the best trios of young players. That’s the major reason why Oilers rumors are buzzing.
Hughes Lands Hobey Baker Nomination
Hughes could improve his standing even further with a major award victory. On Thursday, Hughes got the nod as a Hobey Baker finalist along with Max Plante of the University of Minnesota Duluth and Erick Pohlkamp of the University of Denver.
The nomination makes Oilers rumors surrounding Hughes all the more credible. There’s no question the organization would love to land this year’s Hobey Baker.
But Hughes wouldn’t be the only Hobey Baker winner in the Oilers’ organization. The aforementioned Howard won the prestigious award in 2025. If Edmonton were to sign Hughes, the club would have the last two winners in the organization.
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Oilers Rumors Won’t Be Going Away Any Time Soon
Even if Edmonton fails to land Hughes, Oilers rumors won’t be going away any time soon. There will be other NCAA free agents that the organization will be looking at. Moreover, the club will be looking at other free agents potentially hitting the market this offseason.
While the main focus will be on the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs, there’s no question that other crucial business will be going on in the background.
So, fans should keep an eye out for Oilers rumors. There will be plenty of chatter in the coming weeks. That chatter could pick up significantly if the team fails to capture the Stanley Cup. But that’s a conversation for another day.
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