Let them play: Quinn Hughes should be eligible for 4 Nations final

3 days ago

Sportsnet.ca

Let them play Quinn Hughes should be eligible for 4 Nations final

Quinn Hughes might be coming to Boston as an injury replacement only, but Elliotte Friedman writes why Vancouver's captain should be allowed to play in the final, emergency situation or not.

BOSTON — Quickie blog on Tuesday afternoon:

Let everyone be eligible to play.

I understand the idea going into this event: no additions unless there's an emergency. No issues with this, in theory, but this incredible tournament — wildly exceeding expectations — shows this to be an impossible standard.

The players proved this is not a glorified All-Star Game, but a fierce, nasty, intense, competitive fight for hockey supremacy. The toll is real and I suspect we don’t have a full picture of who is dealing with what.

Quinn Hughes was on this U.S. team. He didn’t willingly vacate his spot, dropping out due to injury. If circumstances align to bring him back, he should not be penalized for getting legitimately hurt during NHL action. USA coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday he expects Auston Matthews to play, and that goes double for the Tkachuks. (The one I forgot to ask about was Vincent Trocheck, who injured his hand versus Sweden.) Whether the U.S. goes with your standard 12-6 or 11-7 due to anything up front, Hughes should be a go. A freebird, I guess you’d say.

Same for Canada.

If Thomas Harley is going to give up his vacation to join Team Canada midway through the event, he should be rewarded for giving up a suntan when his national team needed him. That’s what players are supposed to do, right? Put personal aside for country. Why be held back for doing exactly that? (Note: Harley is eligible to play, but wasn't at the beginning.)

Without polling every player, I would suspect the vast majority would vote to win against the best possible opponent. Injuries happen, sure. But the best want to beat the best — no questions asked, no excuses made, no quarters given.

Canada vs. USA in 4 Nations Face-Off final on Sportsnet
Fierce rivals Canada and the U.S. collide in Boston on Thursday for the 4 Nations Face-Off final. Watch the game on Sportsnet, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
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We’ve seen these rules modified on the fly, so this isn’t uncharted territory. Both Canada and the USA would benefit. Two days off. Plenty of time to gameplan and adjust.

This tournament is already a win. A huge success.

This is best-on-best, right? Let’s make sure of it for the final.