Quinn Hughes makes his decision for Four Nations Face-Off.

There's no question that this will be a huge blow for Team USA ahead of the Four Nations Face-Off.

On Sunday evening, National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Vancouver Canucks star defenseman Quinn Hughes would be pulling himself out of the Four Nations Face-Off tournament due to an injury. Hughes has been out of action for the Canucks in the NHL but it seemed like there was still a possibility that he could play for the Americans in the tournament, a possibility that has now been officially ruled out.

Stepping in to replace Hughes on the roster will be Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson, but the reality is that you're simply not going to replace the reining Norris Trophy winner, especially not on such short notice.

Hughes has shown himself to be the backbone of his team at the NHL level and this season has been no different, with the Canucks star putting up 14 goals and 45 assists for a whopping 59 points in just 47 games played this season.

Sanderson is having a respectable season in his own right with 5 goals and 30 assists over his 55 NHL games with the Senators this season, but again there is simply no replacing a player like Quinn Hughes

A huge blow for Team USA just before the start of the Four Nations Face-Off, and you have to wonder if we will hear any more announcements of this nature in the final days before the tournament.