Team USA’s training camp has been dealt a major shakeup. What is it? Well, head coach Mike Sullivan has confirmed that none other than Quinn Hughes will be flying out to replace the injured Charlie McAvoy. It’s a star-for-star replacement, alright. One that despairing U.S. fans will gladly welcome, after it was confirmed that McAvoy would not be making a miraculous return to the lineup.

Losing a player of the caliber of McAvoy is really a gut punch for Team USA. He’s been a mainstay on the blue line, a real difference-maker with his tenacity and drive. With McAvoy gone, Sullivan needed someone who could step up and shore up the defense. But while it seemed like initially the U.S. wouldn’t be allowed to call up a replacement, the rules were once again bent a little.

Enter Quinn Hughes—one of, if not the, best blueliners in the NHL today. Hughes had to sit earlier in the tournament with an oblique injury that landed him on the sidelines for four games, but now he’s on the road to recovery and could just be final ready.

Hughes’ return is huge. The man’s a defending Norris Trophy winner with smooth skating, intelligence, and excellent two-way play. Quinn Hughes has 14 goals and 45 assists for 59 points in 47 games this season with the Canucks—solid numbers showing that not only can he be a rock in defense but he can also fire up the offense.

Eligibility hurdles and strategic ramifications

But here’s the surprise: when Hughes travels to Boston, there’s a snag with the tournament policy for replacing injured players. According to the rules, Team USA would need to have another injured defenseman before Hughes can be cleared for duty on the ice. It’s not unlike the situation with Canada and Thomas Harley early in the tournament—those policies definitely know how to complicate matters when you’re working on getting your best players on the ice. But Canada bent the rules a little. Will Team USA?

Now, let’s break this down. Hughes could be the trump card if he’s cleared to play. Imagine this: it’s the title-deciding game, and then this whirlwind of a player who can circle up on opponents and transition from defense into offense jumps onto the ice. That’s the kind of jolt of energy that can shake up the whole environment. Doubly important when you’re without a guy like McAvoy, too. His puck skills, smart-pressure plays, and even scoring may be what Team USA needs to bridge the gap.

Quinn Hughes’ call-up, even if his status for Saturday remains up in the air, illustrates that Mike Sullivan isn’t leaving anything on the table. It’s a quintessential example of “do what you’ve got to do” when the stakes are this high. Hughes’ decision to sit out the tournament had been talked about extensively, with many praising his choice to prioritize team over country. But ultimately, it looks like when your country calls, you just can’t say no.

Even though the rules could keep Hughes from playing immediately, even being in camp says a lot: Team USA isn’t throwing in the towel. As the showdown draws near in TD Garden, Boston, the stakes are higher, and every spot on the roster counts. With McAvoy hurt and Hughes possibly covering for him, Team USA finds itself with some last-minute off-ice suspense. Will the NHL further bend the rules? All of this and more will be on the table when the action moves to Boston.