EDIT: According to a Canucks spokesman, Hughes was not in Las Vegas during the All-Star break as was initially reported, though he was in the U.S. Original article below.
What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas.
Quinn Hughes probably should have been named to the 2022 All-Star Game in Las Vegas. He's top-ten in the NHL in points among defencemen and is arguably the Vancouver Canucks' most important player. Instead, Thatcher Demko was the Canucks' representative, which is fair enough — Demko is equally deserving of the honour.
Despite not being named to the All-Star Game, Hughes apparently went anyway. His younger brother, Jack Hughes, was named an All-Star and provided one of the highlights of the skills competition with a Vegas-style magical illusion during the Breakaway Challenge.
Unfortunately, Hughes' trip has likely cost the Canucks their best defenceman, at least for a few games.
The Canucks announced on Monday morning that Hughes has entered the NHL's COVID protocol, meaning he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Quinn isn't the only Hughes to test positive for COVID-19. His brother, Jack, also entered COVID protocol after the All-Star Game.
This is devastating news for the Canucks, who can ill afford to lose Hughes at this crucial point in the season. Their depth on left defence is limited but Jack Rathbone has recently returned from injury and could potentially be called up.
According to Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford, Hughes will miss at least three games but could return for the Canucks' February 17 game against the San Jose Sharks. Hughes is currently in the U.S., with the Canucks' next three games taking place in Vancouver, but the February 17 game is in San Jose.
The NHL's new COVID protocol does not require testing for players who don't have any symptoms but players crossing the U.S.-Canada border will still need to be tested. Accordingly, the positive test for Hughes does not necessarily mean that he is symptomatic but his decision to cross the border required him to get tested on his return.
