2021 NHL Draft Profile: Luke Hughes Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg1MDUxMTc5ODQ5MDMzMDQ5/luke-hughes-with-puck.jpg] BORN Sept. 9, 2003, Canton, Mich. 2020-21 U.S. NTDP POS D HT 6-2 WT 176 SHOOTS L INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES No. 2 A lower-body injury caused Hughes to miss the All-American Prospects Game and the world under-18s, but the rest of his season already spoke volumes. The youngest of the three Hughes brothers, Luke is bigger than Jack and Quinn but still has that family skating gene. In fact, he might even have the smoothest stride of them all. “I like how involved he is,” said one scout. “He’s still developing his defensive game from a positional perspective, but there’s good effort there. He has the ability to break up plays, and he contests in the neutral zone. The skating ability and skill could make him really pop, he’s one of those offensive D-men that you don’t see a lot of.” Committed to NCAA Michigan, Hughes has a chance to provide immediate offense from the blueline, especially with Cam York leaving the Wolverines for the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers. Hughes can quarterback a power play, and he has great offensive instincts. “I’d say his deficiencies would be on the defensive side of the puck, he’s a little bit of a risk/reward player,” said another scout. “But he seems to control the game, and he has the puck a lot.” BEST CASE | Erik Karlsson This excerpt is from The Hockey News' Draft Preview issue. Purchase a digital copy of the issue here [https://www.zinio.com/ca/the-hockey-news/console-3416-221230-i503335] or subscribe to The Hockey News here [https://thehockeynews.kckglobal.com/].