Let's dive into the Canucks' most significant needs ahead of the March 7 deadline and how they could go about addressing them.

BOSTON — A day after Team USA coach Mike Sullivan said that Quinn Hughes was headed to Boston to replace injured Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy at the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, the Canucks superstar defenseman remains in Western Canada.

Hours after sharing assistant-coaching duties for Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in Boston, Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet and Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy will find themselves behind opposite benches again when their teams meet on Saturday in Las Vegas.

It appears that Team USA will be receiving a massive boost at the 4 Nations Face-Off. On Wednesday, Mike Sullivan announced that Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes was on his way to Boston ahead of Thursday's final against Team Canada.

What's best for country isn't always what's best for club, as made clear by this week's dance among the Canucks, Team USA and the NHL.

Charlie McAvoy is in the hospital and will not play for Team USA against Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, the Boston Bruins said Tuesday.

The Vancouver Canucks defenseman, who had to drop out of the tournament Feb. 9 because of an undisclosed injury, practiced for a second straight day in Vancouver on Wednesday, this time with a regular jersey. He practiced Tuesday in a red, non-contact jersey.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy won't be able to play for the United States in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off on his home ice because of an undisclosed upper body injury, his NHL club said on Tuesday.

While Mike Sullivan discussed the loss of Charlie McAvoy, his alternate captain, son-in-law and impact defenseman, the coach of the United States was asked whether an extra defenseman might be on his way to Boston ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship against Canada (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+, SN, TVAS) on Thursday.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes wanted to join Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada, but he won't be in Boston for tonight's showdown. According to The Athletic's Michael Russo and Chris Johnston, it was the Vancouver Canucks who ultimately prevented Hughes from flying to Boston and joining the USA on a reserve basis.

Boston Bruins star Charlie McAvoy was hospitalized Monday at Massachusetts General Hospital after suffering an upper-body injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Frank Seravalli – in relation to Mike Sullivan’s comments – said that Quinn Hughes was on his way to Boston. The US defense is not in full health and with Charlie McAvoy unable to play on Thursday, we thought Hughes was going to replace him in the lineup.