Hughes “agonizing” over decision to play 4 Nations or rest for Vancouver Canucks
The injury bug has hit Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes at the worst possible time this season.
He has missed the last four games with a reported oblique injury and has also allegedly been playing through a hand injury. This has put the Canucks captain in peril of missing out on the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament where he was expected to play a major role on Team USA.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman provided an update on Hughes’ status for the tournament, in which he said the Canucks have left the decision in his hands.
“It’s his call, I think the Canucks are leaving this up to him,” Friedman reported. “I’ve heard he’s just agonizing over it… I think he feels the pressure, I think he wants to play for Team USA.
“I think we get a decision either later Saturday night or Sunday before the teams go into Montreal, but I heard he’s really agonizing with the decision.”
Ahead of the #4Nations Face-Off @FriedgeHNIC has a Saturday Headlines update. 📰 pic.twitter.com/SSuK9kO5cI
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 9, 2025
It is certainly a tough position for Hughes to put in. This is his first opportunity to represent the USA in a best-on-best tournament and he is primed to be a big part of that team’s defensive group. It was a tad shocking that he wasn’t named to the country’s leadership group.
The decision is not only going to affect Team USA but also the Canucks. Hughes has once again proven to be Vancouver’s most valuable player this season by a long shot and risking an injury at the 4 Nations tournament will put a considerable dent into their playoff push.
Vancouver is currently just three points up on the Calgary Flames for the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference, but not having their captain for an extended period will make things that much more difficult down the stretch.
The 25-year-old Hughes is well on his way to collecting his second-straight Norris Trophy this season as he currently leads all NHL defencemen with 45 assists and is tied for second in overall points with Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski. It’s also clear that the Canucks look like a much different team when he is not playing.
Friedman mentioned that he expected a decision to come at some point today, so Canucks fans are sure to spend their Sunday glued to social media awaiting any news of a decision from Hughes.
USA’s first game at the tournament is set for Thursday against Finland.