Nov 24, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicholas Hague (14) handles the puck as he is pressured by Nashville Predators defenseman Mark Borowiecki (90) during the first period during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Nashville Predators made one move today before free agency began, trading Colton Sissons and Jeremy Lauzon to the Vegas Golden Knights for defender Nicolas Hague and a conditional 2027 draft pick. The Preds also agreed to retain salary on Sissons.
Under those circumstances, it’s disappointing but not surprising to see that Hague’s on-ice impact for Vegas last season wasn’t the best. The 26-year-old is a low-scoring defender who struggled to move the puck out of the zone, though the Preds may be hoping that the change of scenery and coaching will help improve his performance.
On balance, it seems likely that this move was done to clear space for some of the younger players to take more responsibility at the NHL level, as Barry Trotz talked about at the draft. From that perspective, it makes a good deal of sense.
