BOSTON — Team USA will be without Charlie McAvoy in the 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada, but there are several moving parts regarding who will replace him.
Quinn Hughes, who had to withdraw from the United States roster due to an undisclosed injury that kept him out of the last four Canucks games, has been notified that he is the American reserve in the wake of McAvoy’s reported infection of a minor injury.
Hughes is remaining in Vancouver, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, until there is a realistic situation where he would play in Thursday’s final.
Team USA would have to lose at least one more defenseman for Hughes to be eligible.
“Right now, we’re just taking each day as it comes,” head coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday. “We’re going to take it one day at a time. We’ll see what potential options might be available for us for the championship game and then we’ll make decisions accordingly from there.”
Canada was given permission to bring in Thomas Harley after Shea Theodore was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.
When Cale Makar later went down with an illness, leaving Jon Cooper’s squad in danger of missing two defensemen, Harley was allowed to practice/play.
It was an adjustment made to the original tournament rules, which stated that no new players could be added once it began.
A rule was then imposed prohibiting Harley and Makar from being on the ice for Canada’s practice at the same time.
The same will apply for Hughes, who cannot practice with the team unless another player becomes unavailable.
The flu has also been going around the locker rooms, so exceptions have evidently been made.
Jake Sanderson filled in on Team USA’s defense in the Americans’ first loss of the tournament, 2-1, to Sweden on Monday night, and it would apparently have to be him who remains if no other injuries/illnesses pop up.
Though Hughes was on the original roster, it doesn’t appear the tournament will allow Sullivan to play him over any of the other six healthy blueliners available.
A lot can happen, however, during a two-day break between games.
There is little doubt Matthew and Brady Tkachuk will play for all the marbles Thursday after the former sat out the Sweden game and the latter was ruled out early in Monday’s contest after crashing into the post.
Regarding captain Auston Matthews, who missed the Sweden game due to what was termed “upper-body soreness,” Sullivan had an encouraging update.
“I would anticipate Auston being available for the championship game,” he said. “As far as his leadership and wearing the ‘C’ for us, he’s done a terrific job.”
Tuesday felt like the first time the tournament has stood still since it began.
Emotions and intensity have run high, which made the day of rest a necessity.
Losing McAvoy, whose thunderous hit on Connor McDavid in the first game against Canada swung momentum in Team USA’s favor, is a massive blow to the Red, White and Blue’s defense.
There is a scenario where the best would replace the best, and that’s 2024 Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes.
“He’s obviously disappointed that he won’t have the ability to participate in the championship game,” Sullivan said of McAvoy, who is also his son-in-law. “This tournament means a lot to him. He’s a very competitive guy. Obviously, there’s a personal note with respect to my relationship with him. I am disappointed for him because, first and foremost, he’s a great kid and he’s a terrific hockey player. I know this meant a lot to him. Under all the circumstances, he’s in good spirits.”
