The Nashville Predators have acquired defenseman Nic Hague and a conditional 2027 third-round pick from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and forward Colton Sissons.
Hague will also sign a four-year extension worth $5.5 million annually after being traded to Nashville by Vegas. The extension also includes an eight-team no-trade clause in the final two years of the contract.
The Kitchener, Ontario-born defender has been a great depth piece for the Golden Knights, but the two sides couldn’t agree on any contract terms after his latest deal expired. Hague’s now-expired three-year deal was just under $2.3 million. His new contract is a hefty pay raise and a benchmark for what he provided the Vegas Golden Knights’ depth defence.
Hague will look to perform in a bigger role with his new contract in Nashville, and given there’s the opportunity, he will certainly run with it.
The bruising defender has an imposing physical frame, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 245 pounds. His play style is also one that any team would much rather have on their team. He also brings Stanley Cup experience as he was a part of Vegas’ 2023 Stanley Cup run.
To date, Hague has posted 83 points (20G, 63A) in 364 career NHL games, while also adding 235 PIMs to that statline. In the playoffs, Hague has just 10 points (3G, 7A) and 52 PIMs.
Nashville is a team well known for their physical style of play, and given their rather poor 2024-25 showing, Hague might be the first domino to fall, given Nashville is looking to retool sooner rather than later.
ITR 49: For Real This Time – Inside The Rink
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Now, if the Predators only had a coach who doesn’t have to “acquire more tools” as he matures. One matures in the AHL, not at the top league level, Barry.