Despite a bold proclamation from Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan that “Quinn Hughes is coming,” the defenseman will not, in fact, be traveling to Boston for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game after all.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported Wednesday that the Canucks’ defenseman wasn’t medically cleared and likely wouldn’t have played unless USA sustained another injury in addition to Charlie McAvoy ahead of its showdown with Canada on Thursday.
Hughes skated Tuesday and Wednesday in Vancouver as he returns from an undisclosed injury that forced him to withdraw from the tournament after being named to the initial roster — with Jake Sanderson taking his place.
Team USA’s lineup saga began after McAvoy was hospitalized due to an infection and shoulder injury — which will cause him to miss the final.
“Upon returning to Boston, he developed increasing pain, for which he was evaluated by the Boston Bruins’ medical staff. After undergoing x-rays, MRIs, and bloodwork, he was diagnosed as having an infection in his right shoulder, as well as a significant injury to his AC joint,” the Bruins head team physician Dr. Peter Asnis said in a statement Wednesday. “He underwent an irrigation and debridement procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital on February 18. He remains in the hospital, where he is being treated with IV antibiotics, and his condition is improving.”
That, at least for a brief time, created a scenario where Hughes — the brother of Team USA star Jack Hughes — could end up being a Team USA contingency plan.
But that won’t be the case.