Drastic Turn Of Events Arises Regarding Quinn Hughes Joining Team USA, Per Elliotte Friedman
Not so fast Quinn Hughes, as Elliotte Friedman has just reported the Canucks forward may not be joining Team USA after all, unless he's absolutely needed.
Earlier today, it was reported that Quinn Hughes was heading to Boston to join Team USA for the 4 Nations. However, things seemed to have changed, as he was spotted at Canucks practice today, so he clearly was not on his way to the East Coast.
Elliotte Friedman has revealed that Hughes will only join Team USA if he knows for certain he would suit up for the final game, as it would be an exhausting amount of traveling for him to simply be sitting up in the press box.
If Hughes goes to Boston, he would have to go from Vancouver to the East Coast, then all the way back out west to Las Vegas, Nevada, which is an exhausting toll on the body.
The move to put Hughes on standby comes after it was announced that Charlie McAvoy will not play in the championship game.
The U.S. would need to suffer another injury or illness for Hughes to play
Based on the criteria that saw Thomas Harley play for Team Canada on Saturday against the Americans, a team would have to drop below six defencemen to add a replacement.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that is the case for Team USA. So since there are no confirmed injuries for USA, there would be no guarantee that Hughes would get in the lineup at the moment.
Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan was more discreet when discussing whether Hughes would be available for Thursday's game.
As the hours go on, we will hopefully get a little bit more clarity on Hughes' ultimate decision, but seeing him with his Canucks teammates today doesn't give a great deal of hope that he will actually make it to Boston.
![Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530316.webp "Feb 17, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) skates with the puck during the second period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530162.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
