Canucks’ captain Quinn Hughes remains out vs. Canadiens

The Vancouver Canucks will have to wait a bit longer for the return of their captain.

Defenceman Quinn Hughes will remain out Tuesday night against the Montreal Canadiens but is to be determined beyond that, head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed to reporters.

The 25-year-old is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. He took to the ice on Tuesday’s morning skate, but was a limited participant in a non-contact jersey.

Following Monday’s optional off-ice work, Tocchet told reporters that Hughes was nearing return.

“He’s progressing and he could surprise us any time when he’s ready to go,” the coach said. “I’m not saying he’s going to be in the lineup tomorrow. It’s coming, I just don’t know when.”

Hughes has dealt with a series of injuries this season, including one that forced him to pull out of playing for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

He missed six games with the ailment — reported to be an oblique injury — and returned on Feb. 26, but was hurt again in Vancouver’s 6-3 loss to the Seattle Kraken on March 1. He has now missed the team’s past three games.

Hughes is the reigning Norris Trophy winner as the league’s top defenceman and leads the Canucks in scoring with 14 goals and 46 assists in 50 games this season.