Just days before the start of the free agency period, the Nashville Predators are already making moves. Late Sunday night, it was announced that the Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague had been traded to the Predators and signed a four-year contract extension. It is a $22 million contract, with an annual hit of $5.5 million. The Predators also received a conditional third round pick in the 2027 draft. Nashville sent defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and center Colton Sissons to Vegas. The Predators retain 50 percent of Sissons’ salary. This past season, Hague played in 68 games with the Golden Knights, scoring 12 points and logging 40 penalty minutes. He primarily played on Vegas' third defensive pairing with Zach Whitecloud. Hague also won the Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights, with fellow Predator Jonathan Marchessault, in 2023. During that run, Hague had six points in 22 games and 37 penalty minutes. After acquiring Hague, the Predators have about $13.5 million left in cap space, with free agency opening up on Tuesday. With a 6-foot-6-inch, 245-pound build, Hague fits the identity that Nashville holds for bigger, physical players. Hague's offensive production has been limited during his time in Vegas, but he has provided them with more size on the blue line. Early on, it's projected that Hague will skate with the Predators' third defensive pairing with Andreas Englund. Lauzon had one points in 28 games and 37 penalty minutes last season. He was in the final year of a four year, $8.million contract. Sissons had 21 points in 72 games and a plus/minus of -12. Nashville may be shopping for more center depth in free agency. He was in the final year of a seven-year, $20 million contract. Nashville will begin its development camp on Monday and it'll run through July 5.
