Quinn Hughes could be headed back to the shelf.
The Vancouver Canucks defenceman missed practice on Thursday and is day-to-day ahead of a Friday clash with the Carolina Hurricanes, Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy reported.
Hughes, 26, has already missed four games this season with a lower-body injury. He briefly exited Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets after suffering an upper-body injury while taking a penalty, but did return.
In 14 games on the season, the blue liner has one goal and 12 assists. The Canucks, however, sit second-last in the Pacific Division at 8-9-1 for 17 points.
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Meanwhile, forward Drew O’Connor also missed practice due to illness.
The winger has suited up in all 18 games this season, tallying four goals and four assists.
Vancouver will be without starting goalie Thatcher Demko, who also left Tuesday’s game against the Jets and is out two to three weeks.