Hughes noncommittal about joining USA: 'They still have their 6 D'

Quinn Hughes might not join Team USA in Boston, after all.

Hours after U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan said Hughes was joining the team as a potential injury replacement, the defenseman practiced with the Canucks in Vancouver and was noncommittal about the whole situation.

"I really want to," Hughes said when asked if he'll head to Boston. "Obviously been really hard to watch. (I) want to play, but from what I can understand, the rules are the rules."

U.S. defenseman Charlie McAvoy will miss Thursday's championship game against Canada - and reportedly considered week-to-week. However, the Americans still have six defenseman available and cannot add Hughes to the roster unless another blue-liner drops out.

"They still have their six D, so that changes my position a little bit," Hughes continued. "If (the NHL) had to do it over again they would allow teams to bring a couple extra players."

Whether Hughes goes to Boston remains a fluid situation, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported.

Hughes was initially named to Team USA but withdrew from the tournament because of injury. He missed Vancouver's last four games before the break.

"The six D that have been there - of course I want to play - but they've gotten us to the point where we're in a championship game now. Those guys also deserve to play," Hughes said. "But in saying that, it's obviously been hard for me. I'm a competitor and feel like I want to play and need to be there."

Canada was able to add Thomas Harley to its roster after Shea Theodore suffered a tournament-ending injury in the opener against Sweden and Cale Makar was ruled out against the United States because of an illness. Makar has since returned and is available to play in the final.

"I can't play unless anyone else gets injured and I obviously don't want to see anyone get injured," Hughes said. "So that's where we're at."

Vancouver's next game is Saturday in Las Vegas.