Predators acquire Nicolas Hague from Golden Knights and sign to four-year extension

The Nashville Predators have acquired defenseman Nicolas Hague from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and center Colton Sissons, as first reported by TSN insider Darren Dreger.

The Predators also signed Hague to a four-year contract extension with a $5.5 million cap hit. He was set to become a restricted free agent after the conclusion of his previous three-year contract with a $2,294,159 cap hit.

The Golden Knights were looking to deal Hague after they recognized that they wouldn’t be able to afford his new contract, especially if they were looking to make a big splash this summer. While they only save a bit over $600,000 with the trade, they do add a bit more depth by essentially replacing Hague with Lauzon and adding Sissons for their forward group, with both being excellent defensive players. As for the Predators, they take a swing on Hague in hopes that he can fully round out his game in a bigger role with the team.

Hague was on par with his usual production in the 2024-25 season, where he had five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 68 games. His goal total ties his previous career high set in 2020-21.

Lauzon struggled with injuries last season, including the last 44 games due to a lower-body injury, although the Golden Knights targeting him may suggest that he’ll be ready for the 2025-26 season. He only got into 28 games in 2024-25, with just one assist in that span. He is entering the final year of his four-year contract with a $2 million cap hit.

Sissons saw his production take a step back last season, as he had just seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points in 72 games. It was his lowest point total in a non-shortened season since 2016-17, his second season as a somewhat regular NHLer. He’s in the final year of his seven-year contract with a $2,857,143 cap hit.