Source: Knights clear space, deal Hague to Preds

The Vegas Golden Knights traded restricted free agent defenseman Nicolas Hague to the Nashville Predators on Sunday, an NHL source confirmed to ESPN, 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, the source said, confirming multiple reports.

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, the source confirmed. Hague had a $2,294,150 cap hit on his previous contract. TSN first reported the details.

Hague just completed his sixth season with Vegas, playing 68 games and averaging 17 minutes in ice time, his lowest in 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 34th overall in 2017 by the Knights, appeared in 22 playoff games for Vegas in their 2023 Stanley Cup championship.

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 joined them a year ago as a free agent.

Lauzon, 28, is a similar physical defenseman to Hague, although he lacks Hague's size. He has a $2 million cap hit for next season. Lauzon 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. Both Lauzon and Sissons are 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.