Quinn Hughes on ice for Canucks practice, still on standby for 4 Nations
The 25-year-old Vancouver Canucks captain was instead on the ice in a non-contact jersey at Tuesday’s practice for his NHL club — the first since the 4 Nations break — rather than en route to Boston.
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Quinn Hughes is still in Vancouver — for now.
After Charlie McAvoy suffered an upper-body injury that will sideline him for the 4 Nations Face-Off final on Thursday, leaving Team USA with just six defencemen, head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday that Hughes was on his way to replace the injured defenceman.
Not so fast.
Much like the situation with Canada, Cale Makar and Thomas Harley on Monday, Team USA will not be permitted to play Hughes unless they dip below six available rostered defencemen. Barring an additional injury or change in availability to the U.S. blueline, Hughes cannot play against Canada.
The 25-year-old Vancouver Canucks captain was instead on the ice in a non-contact jersey at Tuesday’s practice for his NHL club — the first practice since the 4 Nations break — rather than en route to Boston.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Hughes will not join Team USA unless there is a realistic chance that he will be permitted to play.
Hughes is leading the Canucks in scoring with 59 points in 47 games and is also tied for second amongst NHL blueliners this season.
Hughes won his first Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenceman last season after amassing 17 goals and 92 points in 82 games, leading the Canucks to their first non-bubble playoff appearance since 2015.
