Nicolas Hague News

Hague was a healthy scratch vs. the Blue Jackets but will replace Jon Merrill in the lineup in Buffalo. Hague, who often plays on the third-pair and second power-play unit, has no goals on 44 shots with 10 assists in 34 games.

Vegas is set to start a four-game road-trip on Tuesday so Hague and Nic Roy come up from the AHL as reserves. For Hague, he has appeared in eight games with Vegas this season, tallying two assists, nine shots and seven hits while playing 14:59 ATOI. With Nate Schmidt back on the blueline, it may be difficult for the young defenseman to get into the lineup on this trip.

Hague had three shots while playing 18:34 TOI last night and has two assists in eight NHL games overall. The Golden Knights are off until Thursday, so this could be nothing more than a money-saving paper move. However, Nate Schmidt was also a full participant in Monday’s practice, so it could also be a sign that he will return to the lineup on Thursday.

Hague had two assists in seven games during his call-up but Jake Bischoff has recently taken his spot on the third pair. Hague returns to the AHL, where he had 13 goals and 19 assists (32 points) in 75 games last year.

Hague was picked in the second-round (No.34 overall) in 2017 and is set to replace Nate Schmidt (lower-body) in San Jose on Friday. The 20-year-old defenseman had 32 points (13G / 19A) in 75 games with Chicago (AHL) last year. Hague will play on the third pair and second power-play unit in his NHL debut.