Canucks’ Quinn Hughes out day-to-day with lower-body injury

One of the best players in the game is on the shelf.

Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote stated that defender Quinn Hughes will not be in the lineup for the team’s matchup with the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night and is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

With Hughes out, the Canucks will insert Victor Mancini, who they called up from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, on Saturday, into the lineup against the two-time defending Western Conference Champions.

The team hasn’t reported exactly when or where Hughes was injured. The captain was on the ice on Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens, posting two assists in a 4-3 loss. He also registered a team-high 26:25 of ice time, blocking a couple of shots as well. In nine games this year, Hughes has scored a goal and six assists for seven points, with a plus/minus of -1 while averaging 26:38 of ice time.

There’s hope that Hughes’ ailment is minor, especially after an injury-riddled 2024-25 season for the Canucks’ top star. An upper-body injury suffered last December kept him out for a few games, and a lower-body injury that arose in February led to the Orlando, Fla., native missing almost a month, including being taken off the United States’ roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off. In total, Hughes played just 68 games, the fewest games he’s played in a regular NHL season. He still managed to score 16 goals and 60 assists for 76 points.

Hughes has been one of the most critical players in Vancouver over the past few years, with his numbers and style of play making him a fan favorite. Two years ago, when the Canucks won the Pacific Division, Hughes set career highs in goals (17), assists (75) and points (92), winning the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top rearguard.

The Canucks (4-5-0) are looking to end their three-game losing streak on Sunday night.