There’s some major news out of the hockey world tonight between the Ottawa Senators, the Vancouver Canucks, and the 2025 4-Nations Face-Off tournament. Quinn Hughes, who continues to nurse an injury, will miss the tournament. So, how does that affect the Ottawa Senators you may ask? Easy, making news as his replacement, is none other than their number one power play defenceman, Jake Sanderson. In contrast, it is also unfortunate for the Hughes family, as Jack Hughes was looking forward to competing at the highest level with his brother by his side.
Team USA Has a Major Lineup Change on Defence
Quinn Hughes has been one of the best defencemen in the game the past couple of campaigns. He’s one of the best in the game right now. His luck possession measures are incredible. Furthermore, 207 games with 38 goals and 189 assists since the start of the 2022-23 NHL regular season, simply sensational. For comparison, 194 games, 60 goals, 159 assists, and 219 points total, for this Team Canada rival, Cale Makar. He will and will be surely missed from this tournament. It is unclear how much longer the injury timetable is other than the length of the tournament break itself.
In Ottawa Senators News, Jake Sanderson Makes Team USA
However, for Senators fans, this means exciting things for Jake Sanderson. Sanderson quarterbacks the team’s top power play unit. This is a team that is firmly in playoff contention when this break for the NHL took place. Moreover, his three years in the league have been extremely consistent. With 105 points in 211 career NHL games, his game is very refined for a young player. He could even still elevate his game, the potential is there for him.
The Team USA Defence is pretty strong. Some were surprised Sanderson wasn’t on the team initially. This is a very versatile group, with plenty of talent. It is not news, Jake Sanderson fits in quite well with the group. A pairing of Sanderson alongside the Columbus Blue Jacket Zach Werenski would be a formidable and dynamic third pairing.
14. Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
23. Adam Fox, New York Rangers
15. Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights
25. Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
85. Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
74. Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
8. Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) February 9, 2025
Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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