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.

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.

Hughes was named to the U.S. roster in June but bowed out due to an oblique injury. He can't play unless another defenseman is unavailable.

The United States didn't have to sacrifice much when looking for a replacement for injured defenseman Charlie McAvoy in the 4 Nations Face-Off final: Reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes was ready to step in.

Despite a bold proclamation from Mike Sullivan that “Quinn Hughes is coming,” the defenseman will not, in fact, be traveling for the 4 Nations Face-Off final.

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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.

After Mike Sullivan said Quinn Hughes was shipping up to Boston to replace Charlie McAvoy, Hughes and the NHL have said. “Whoa-ohoh.” With McAvoy ruled out for the rest of the NHL 4 Nations ...

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.

Team USA suffered a big blow ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada on Thursday in losing star Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy to an

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman criticized the rule on Tuesday in a column for Sportsnet and argued that the tournament’s unexpected success should warrant more flexibility. “Let everyone be eligible to play,” Friedman wrote. “I understand the idea going into this event: no additions unless there’s an emergency.

The Boston Bruins say 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 inju