Is Quinn Hughes playing vs. Canada? Why USA defenseman may not dress for 4 Nations Face-Off championship

The USA took some casualties during the round-robin portion of the 4 Nations Face-Off, which included a 3-1 win over Canada to secure a spot in the championship.

Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews both sat out the Americans’ matchup with Sweden on Monday, while Brady Tkachuk missed most of the game with an injury of his own. 

Entering Thursday’s title game, Matthews and the Tkachuk brothers appear to be on track to suit up. The U.S. will be missing Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who was replaced on the roster Tuesday by Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Hughes is headed to Boston to join Mike Sullivan and the USA team, but he might not be eligible to see any ice time in the tournament finale on Thursday.

Here’s what you need to know about Hughes’ status for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game. 

4 NATIONS FACE-OFF HQ

Is Quinn Hughes playing vs. Canada?

Hughes is going to Boston to join the USA ahead of Thursday’s game, but he won’t be eligible to practice or play unless another defenseman can’t suit up in addition to McAvoy.

Sullivan said Tuesday that the team would take the roster decision day-by-day, telling reporters the staff will take time to evaluate which “potential options might be available for us for the championship game and then we’ll make decisions accordingly from there.”

Sullivan didn’t indicate whether another defenseman beyond McAvoy is at risk of missing Thursday’s contest. Matthews and the Tkachuk brothers have been dealing with injuries, but none of the three are defensemen — and all are expected to play, for what it’s worth. 

Hughes initially pulled out of the 4 Nations Face-Off after missing the Canucks’ final four games of the first half with an injury. Unless the status of another defenseman changes, he’s simply going to be an emergency piece on hand for Sullivan. 

Why can’t Quinn Hughes play in 4 Nations Face-Off?

Each team has seven defensemen on its roster, but only six can dress. Even without McAvoy, the USA still has the requisite six defensemen who can dress: Brock Faber, Adam Fox, Noah Hanifin, Jake Sanderson, Jaccob Slavin and Zach Werenski.

For Hughes to suit up on Thursday, one of those six players would have to be ruled out with an injury or illness.

Canada also found itself needing to add a defenseman earlier in the tournament, but their injury replacement became eligible to play because both Shea Theodore (upper-body injury) and Cale Makar (illness) were out for Saturday’s game against the USA.

Dallas’ Thomas Harley played Saturday but initially had to watch Canada’s morning skate from afar before Makar left the ice. Harley did not dress for Monday’s win over Finland with Makar back in the fold.

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Quinn Hughes injury update

Hughes was one of the first six players named to the USA roster eight months before the 4 Nations Face-Off, but he pulled out of the tournament on Feb. 9 due to an oblique injury. He was replaced by Ottawa’s Jake Sanderson.

Hughes missed the Canucks’ final four games of the first half, briefly interrupting another stellar season for the reigning Norris Trophy winner.

“He understands what’s at stake,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said after Hughes’ decision.

By pulling out of the tournament, Hughes passed on a chance to play alongside his brother, Jack. 

USA 4 Nations Face-Off roster

* – Out for championship game.

** – Added as injury replacement, can’t dress unless another defenseman is injured.