When you’re all in, you also have to ensure that you have all of your aces. But it looks like Quinn Hughes will be one trump card that Team USA cannot make use of come Thursday night. The Americans will face Canada for the second time in the 4 Nations Face-Off for the championship match, and Charlie McAvoy‘s upper-body injury has created a dent in the USA’s blueline. However, the Canucks’ star might not be providing any relief.

On Tuesday morning, the USA’s head coach Mike Sullivan dropped hopeful news. The coach said that Hughes might be flying to Boston to lend his defensive skills to the team for the 4 Nations finale with McAvoy in the hospital undergoing evaluation. However, Quinn’s travel details seem to be the polar opposite of what Sullivan claimed was happening.

Iain MacIntyre, a veteran Canucks insider, took to X on February 18 to reveal Quin Hughes’ recent activity despite speculations of the latter joining Team USA for the final match at TD Garden. “Quinn Hughes in non-contact jersey at Canucks practice — in Vancouver — means he may not be speaking to media today. And may not be joining Team USA,” the Vancouver pundit shared without being around the bush.

Hughes was also asked about his desire to represent the Stars and Stripes in Boston for the final rumble of the ongoing international tournament. “I really want too,” the 25-year-old noted, but also explained that with Team USA still having their six able-bodied defensemen, he can’t join the team despite his intentions.

Perhaps it is for that reason that he was found skating with the Canucks as they prepared for their weekend clash against the Vegas Golden Knights. Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman summarized Hughes’ situation best as he took to X, “Canucks’ first game is Saturday in Vegas — doesn’t make sense for him to go Vancouver-Boston-Vegas if he can’t play Thursday.”

As for Charlie McAvoy, the Bruins star has been a pillar in the USA’s defensive lineup at the 4 Nations tournament. He made headlines when his huge hit on Connor McDavid led to Jake Guentzel leveling the score for the USA just 19 seconds later. But when news started coming in about him being admitted to the Massachusetts General Hospital to treat an infection that was brought about by a minor injury, many thought this was a golden opportunity for Quinn to squeeze in some play time in the final match. But that seems to be a far cry from the reality.

Hughes had sustained an injury just days before the 4 Nations Face-Off kicked off. Missing 4 consecutive matches for the Canucks with an “undisclosed injury“, the defenseman worried fans. With the NHL side also wanting its star to be in peak health for the upcoming playoffs, Hughes’ chances of representing the nation at the tournament were ruled out. However, while McAvoy’s situation gave a glimmer of hope, it seems like the NHLPA’s regulations became the major obstacle to allowing a last-minute replacement.

Quinn Hughes isn’t as lucky as some others

The 4 Nations Face-Off rules dictate that teams can only bring an additional player on an emergency basis if their defense lines fall below 6 personnel. It was because of this very rule that Team Canada managed to fly Thomas Harley to Montreal after injuries to Shea Theodore and Cale Makar. While fans were confused about the move, considering Harley’s dual citizenship, the Canadians breathed a sigh of relief to know their blueline wouldn’t have a gaping hole at the “Landmark International Hockey Tournament”.

Harley also recorded plenty of game time in Team Canada’s high-stakes match against the Americans on Saturday. But in the final match on Thursday, it could be Makar back in his natural position with Thomas playing backup once again, similar to how things played out in the Canada vs Finland game. But for Team USA, the injuries aren’t grievous enough just yet for Hughes to follow in Harley’s footsteps.

Norris Trophy winner Jake Sanderson is already in the team as Hughes’ initial replacement and he even played against Sweden. And, as of now, that entirely squashes any possibility for the Orlando native to show his skills on the ice in the final. Does that make you sad? Do you think this would affect Team USA’s performance against the neighbors, especially with McAvoy’s situation? Tell us your predictions for the upcoming thriller in a comment!