“Quinn Hughes is coming.”
That was the straightforward, matter-of-fact statement from United States head coach Mike Sullivan on Tuesday.
For a moment, it sent American hockey fans on social media into a frenzy. The U.S. had just been dealt a blow with the news that Charlie McAvoy, one of the team’s top defensemen, had been ruled out for Thursday’s 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada due to an infection related to a right shoulder injury. But here was a lifeline: the addition of the reigning Norris Trophy winner and arguably the best all-around defenseman in the NHL today, a player who would have already been on the team if not for an injury suffered just before the start of the tournament.
As it turned out, however, the process of replacing McAvoy was not quite so straightforward. Shortly after Sullivan’s declaration, the updates became less and less exciting. Hughes would only be able to play if the U.S. suffered another injury or illness on defense, since they still had six healthy D. Hughes was still in Vancouver. He actually practiced with the Canucks later in the day. He might not fly to Boston at all.
Womp, womp. The dream of Hughes flying cross-country on a bald eagle wearing a red, white and blue superhero cape and making a WWE-style entrance into the tournament was fading.
So, what the heck happened here? Well, the same thing that happened to Canada when they lost defenseman Shea Theodore for the tournament after the first game. Initially, they were not allowed to add another defenseman because they still had six healthy ones. It wasn’t until Cale Makar came down with an illness that forced him to miss Saturday’s USA-Canada game that Canada was able to add Thomas Harley, and even that didn’t officially happen until the day of the game.
For reasons that no one seems to truly understand, the NHL’s injury replacement policy for the 4 Nations Face-Off is not as simple as a body-in, body-out swap. So, while Canada still has 13 forwards and seven defensemen in Boston, the U.S. has to move ahead with 13 forwards and just six defensemen… unless someone else goes down.
That, of course, has led some to wonder if the U.S. could engage in some shenanigans, claim they do have another injury or illness even if they actually don’t, and still slip Hughes into their lineup before Thursday night.
As of Wednesday, it doesn’t seem like that’s happening. The six remaining American defensemen – Zach Werenski, Jaccob Slavin, Noah Hanifin, Adam Fox, Brock Faber and Jake Sanderson – all practiced in full at TD Garden on Wednesday. None of them took a shot off the ankle or suddenly reached for their arm a la Rodney Dangerfield in “Caddyshack.” No one walked through the locker room with an exaggerated cough.
Hughes, meanwhile, still remained on the other side of the continent in Vancouver. He will skate with the Canucks again on Wednesday. Sullivan did not have as hopeful of an update this time.
“My understanding is that Quinn is not on his way right now,” Sullivan said. “I know [Team USA general manager] Billy Guerin and the managers are working through that.”
And so they are. Guerin told The Athletic’s Michael Russo that they are “still trying to bring [Hughes] to Boston.” Colleague Pierre LeBrun reported that Team Canada actually has “no issue” with Hughes joining Team USA, but that the NHL continues to stand in the way.
Time is running out. The game is Thursday night. Hughes would probably need to hop on a plane after Wednesday’s Canucks practice and get to Boston Wednesday night if there’s any chance he’s going to play. Flying from Vancouver to Boston on Thursday and playing that night would be difficult. The NHL, which has seemingly been making some things up as they go when it comes to this tournament's roster rules, would need to change its stance. There has not been any indication that they are about to.
So, that’s where things stand as of Wednesday afternoon. The most likely outcome is that the U.S. rolls with the six defensemen who played Monday and who practiced Wednesday, and Quinn Hughes remains in Vancouver. But things have been changing fast in this tournament, so Hughes may want to remain on standby just in case.
UPDATE: Sure enough, news broke later Wednesday afternoon that Hughes, in fact, will not be joining Team USA in Boston. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reports that the U.S. has invited Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson and New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce to travel to Boston as insurance for possible illnesses or injuries.
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In other USA roster news, Brady Tkachuk did not practice Wednesday, but Sullivan said afterwards that he just wasn’t feeling well and is still expected to play Thursday. Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews did practice after missing Monday’s game, and both are good to go for Thursday.
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