New York Rangers rookie enforcer Matt Rempe had no doubts about his allegiance heading into Thursday’s 4 Nations Face-Off final, but he also had words of praise for one of his American teammates. Rempe enjoyed the physicality in the first USA-Canada meeting before both nations clinched a spot on Thursday's final.

Soucy notched a helper and two blocked shots in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Golden Knights. Soucy helped out on a Jake DeBrusk tally in the second period. Injuries to Quinn Hughes (oblique) and Noah Juulsen (undisclosed) have offered a reprieve to Soucy's diminishing playing time,

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 reigning Norris Trophy winner, Hughes appeared to get hurt late in Vancouver’s 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars.

The Vancouver Canucks could be without two key pieces on Saturday when they take on the Vegas Golden Knights. According to Ian MacIntyre of "Sportsnet," both Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes are currently dealing with injuries.

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.

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks hope the potential return of defenseman Quinn Hughes allows them to carry over the momentum they built before the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Sunday, 5 p.m., Delta Center TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650 The buzz: It’s pretty simple: on the second of back-to-backs, will Canucks captain Quinn Hughes finally make his return from an oblique injury?

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.

Team USA said Quinn Hughes was flying to Boston to join them at least as emergency depth. But Hughes was still in Vancouver and unsure of his status.