Defenseman Nicolas Hauge [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-acquire-golden-knights-defenseman-nicolas-hague-in-trade-lauzon-sissons-dealt-to-vegas], known for his size and physical play, aims to return to the more offensively minded side of the game he played in juniors. The Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators]' newest addition, acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-acquire-golden-knights-defenseman-nicolas-hague-in-trade-lauzon-sissons-dealt-to-vegas] on June 29 that sent defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and center Colton Sissons to Vegas, was introduced to local media at a press conference on Thursday. Hague signed a 4-year, $22 million contract [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-acquire-golden-knights-defenseman-nicolas-hague-in-trade-lauzon-sissons-dealt-to-vegas], with an annual hit of $5.5 million. "I've always heard nothing but great things about here [Nashville]," Hague said. "Talking to the guys, too, it just seems like just a great place to live and a great place to play." In the press conference, Hague talked about how he came from an "active" defensive system in Vegas and how he'd like to be more offensively involved in Nashville. "I think there's more to give [in my game] offensively," Hague said. "In juniors, I was an offensive guy, and when I came into the NHL, there's a heavy focus on defending in this league. You're not going to make it anywhere if you do that." "Now, I want to round out my game a little bit more with those offensive instincts I had in juniors, but not lose that defensive part." During the 2017-18 season, Hague's final junior season with the Mississauga Steelheads, he scored 78 points, complemented by 105 penalty minutes. Since coming to the NHL, he has yet to surpass 17 points in a single season. Last year with the Golden Knights, Hague had 12 points in 68 games, but was part of an offensively active defensive corps. Vegas' defensemen had 173 points, led by Shea Theodore with 57 points. Nashville had 133 defensive points, led by Roman Josi with 38 points. "In Vegas, we talked about playing as five all over the ice," Hague said. "Our whole system is a unit. You're never man-on-man. If one guy got beat, you kind of had to beat us in layers...We always had a lot of success playing that way, and we always seemed to click." The defense was a significant focus for the Predators in the offseason, specifically addressing its issues, according to general manager Barry Trotz [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/fixing-defense-was-focus-for-trotz-nashville-predators-in-free-agency]. Trotz said having a more offensively involved defense will help fix the gap at center. Similar to what defensemen Nick Perbix [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-sign-lightning-defenseman-nick-perbix-to-2-year-deal] said in his introductory press conference on Tuesday, [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/defenseman-nick-perbix-confident-nashville-predators-will-be-a-different-team-from-last-season] Hague also believed last season was a "fluke" for the Predators. "I think everybody had a lot higher expectations with the summer they had in free agency," Hague said. Hague did add that the attitude of having something to prove following a disappointing season has paid off for him in the past. The year before Vegas won the 2023 Stanley Cup, it had missed the playoffs by three points. It was the Predators that got the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. "We were very hungry and felt like we had something to prove that next year," Hague said. "That's a powerful feeling in the locker room if everybody can buy in. Having something to prove can take a team a long way." Not everyone is a stranger to Hague in Nashville. He is reunited with former Golden Knight Jonathan Marchessault. The pair played together for five seasons and have become close friends off the ice as well. "Marshy [Marchessault] is a really good friend. He always makes me laugh," Hague said. "I can't wait to reconnect with them [Marchessault's family]. We got pretty close in Vegas over the years, and lived down the street from them. It'll be good to see him, Alex and the kids."
