Hughes is a high-end, puck-moving defenseman and brilliant when it comes to his offensive zone play in how he can create space by drawing defenders to open ice instead of making the first, impulsive play when pressure is presented. His edge work is high end and he boasts a long powerful stride when he gets to speed. For a player of his build, he is effective in gaining speed and maneuvering at this top speed. He sometimes creates too much upper-body motion due to pitchforking his stick but he’s much smoother and more powerful stride when he drops his stick. He shows presence of mind to get off the wall and in between the dots where he can come down the funnel to provide a second wave threat offensively, instead of just flinging low-percentage point shots. He’s got a fairly effective shot and even though his top hand could be out a little bit more to create a better lever, he’s got the heads up approach to pick an effective spot whether it be to pick a corner or to generate a rebound. He’s a creative playmaker, demonstrating crisp tape-to-tape passes or impressive behind-the-back passes. He can set up a give-and-go or makes a long, stretch pass to open up the ice. A key component to his game is shoulder checks. He is always surveying the lay of the land which is a crucial component when going back to retrieve pucks and making a play under pressure. He’s got deceptive tactics with soft hands and quick feet that allow him to create uncertainty of opponents when he’s pressured and allows him to escape. He can get caught on the wrong side of pucks when pinches up ice but he has the fortitude in his skating to slice off inside skating lanes and angle opponents off to the wall and shows an effectiveness with controlling gaps in transition. His impulses would be better served with a little more assertiveness, as he can get caught puck watching and not impose his will to block lanes. In the defensive zone, Hughes does a satisfactory job of covering his zone but definitely gets puck focused and can collapse far too often on the puck, leaving opponents open in space and making them a pass option. Through the 2020-21 season, Hughes was one of the most improved players eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft, raising his draft stock with every game played. Despite a season-ending lacerated tendon from a skate, the prospect has solidified himself as a top player in this class.

– FCHockey’s 2021 NHL Draft Guide