Reports: Knights clear space, deal Hague to Preds

The Vegas Golden Knights have traded restricted free agent defenseman Nicolas Hague and a conditional third-round pick in the 2027 NHL draft to the Nashville Predators, the team announced Monday, ahead of what many believe will be a run at free agent star Mitch Marner by the Golden Knights.

The Predators sent defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and center Colton Sissons back to Vegas in the deal. Nashville has agreed to retain 50% of Sissons' salary.

Hague, 26, was a restricted free agent for Vegas. The Predators inked him to a four-year deal with a $5.5 million average annual value against the salary cap. Hague had a $2,294,150 cap hit on his previous contract.

Hague just completed his sixth campaign with Vegas, playing 68 games and averaging 17 minutes in ice time, his lowest across the past four seasons. The 6-foot-6 stay-at-home defenseman played on the Knights' third pairing, although he also saw time with top defenseman Alex Pietrangelo last season. Hague, who was drafted by the Golden Knights with the No. 34 pick in 2017, appeared in 22 playoff games for Vegas during its 2023 Stanley Cup championship run.

The Predators might be hoping there's another level for Hague as he joins a crowded left side of their defense with star Roman Josi and Brady Skjei, who inked with Nashville a year ago as a free agent.

Lauzon, 28, and Hague are similarly physical defenseman, although Lauzon lacks Hague's size. Lauzon has a $2 million cap hit for next season. He played 28 games last season for the Predators, averaging 17:58 in ice time.

Sissons, 31, is a bottom-six forward who had 21 points in 72 games last season. He has played all 11 years of his NHL career with Nashville, becoming a fan favorite. He has a $2,857,143 cap hit next season.

Lauzon and Sissons will be unrestricted free agents next summer.

By choosing to move on from Hague, the Golden Knights continue to get their financial house in order ahead of free agency. Vegas and the Toronto Maple Leafs have discussed a sign-and-trade of Marner, who had 102 points in 81 games for Toronto last season. Whether or not that manifests, many around the NHL expect the Golden Knights to be the front-runner for the 28-year-old winger, the biggest name available in unrestricted free agency.