USA’s Brady Tkachuk misses Wednesday’s practice ahead of 4 Nations final; still expected to play

Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk did not practice with the team on Wednesday, according to NHL.com reporter Dan Rosen.

After practice, American coach Mike Sullivan said he expects Brady to play on Thursday, saying he missed practice due to not feeling well.

His brother, Matthew, as well as Auston Matthews, were on the ice with the squad.

Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk missed Monday night’s loss to Team Sweden due to injuries, but both are expected to return to the American lineup for Thursday’s 4 Nations Face-Off final against Team Canada. Brady Tkachuk did play Monday, but sustained an injury in the first period and left the game shortly after.

U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan says Brady Tkachuk’s departure was precautionary, as the team already secured a spot in the championship thanks to two regulation wins over Team Finland and Canada to start the tournament, so their game against Sweden was nothing more than a formality for them.

With Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy sidelined for the championship final versus Canada due to an upper-body ailment, Sullivan confirmed Tuesday that Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes could be joining the team for Thursday’s game against Canada.

U.S. general manager Bill Guerin told The Athletic’s Michael Russo that they’re working on bringing Hughes to Boston in time for Thursday’s final. The defenseman was skating with the Canucks on Wednesday.

Initially named to the U.S. roster, Hughes withdrew from the tournament prior to final rosters being set due to an oblique injury that kept him sidelined for the last four games prior to breaking for the 4 Nations Face-Off.