With defenseman Charlie McAvoy out for the 4 Nations Face-off final against Canada on Thursday, head coach Mike Sullivan reassured everyone that a strong player was waiting in the wings and on the way.
“Quinn Hughes is coming,” Sullivan told reporters Tuesday.
However, that doesn’t actually seem to be the case now — at least not yet.
Hughes was on the ice at Canucks practice in Vancouver on Tuesday afternoon, and will not join Team USA in Boston unless there is a realistic chance to play in the championship game, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman
Despite McAvoy reportedly suffering an infection from an upper-body injury, Hughes would not be allowed to play in the title game unless someone else on the U.S. squad suffers an injury or has an illness.
Hughes was originally supposed to be a member of Team USA but withdrew from the tournament with an undisclosed injury.
The 25-year-old defenseman has not played since Jan 31.
“Right now, we’re just taking each day as it comes,” Sullivan told reporters 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.”
Hughes has followed up his Norris Trophy win a season ago with another incredible season with the Canucks.
He’s recorded 14 goals and 45 assists in 47 games with a 57.8 Corsi For percentage in five-on-five situations.
If Hughes does end up in the lineup, Canada will be ready for his presence.
“If he does play and throws in a wrinkle into things, we’ll have to prepare for that” defenseman Josh Morrissey said, per Sportsnet. “Because, obviously, he’s great.”
