The Nashville Predators made a bold statement late Sunday night by trading for defenseman Nicolas Hague. Then, the Preds sent a strong message to their rivals by signing Hague to a four-year, $5.5 million extension.
Elliotte Friedman initially reported the deal.
Hearing Nic Hague is signing a 4 x $5.5M extension in Nashville, after being traded there by Vegas
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 30, 2025
Heading to Vegas are forward Colton Sissons and blueliner Jeremy Lauzon. Both Sissons and Lauzon were rumored to be on the block during this past trade deadline. However, none of them were ultimately moved.
The Golden Knights were on the bubble as they needed to do something about Hague. He was coming off a three-year deal that carried a $2.3 million cap hit. But Hague was due for a significant pay bump, which he got from the Predators.
Additionally, the Golden Knights are said to be in hot pursuit of former Maple Leaf Mitch Marner. That situation means the Golden Knights must clear cap space to get Marner inked to a contract.
For the Predators, this deal is a big swing. The team is looking to turn things around after a lackluster season. Hague brings a strong, physical presence, giving the team another solid blueliner behind number-one D-man Roman Josi.
Why Nic Hague makes sense for the Nashville Predators
In Hague, the Predators add a physical defenseman that they just didn’t have. Josi is a great two-way defenseman, but not the sort of hard-hitting pounder every contender needs.
Meanwhile, Brady Skjei is a great defensive defenseman. But like Josi, he’s not about to rip anyone’s head off.
Enter Hague.
Hague gives Nashville that solid physical presence. Standing 6’6” and weighing 240 pounds, He’s a powerful force on the ice, giving the Predators a potential shutdown defenseman they really haven’t had before.
Hague’s contract extension a solid move by Predators
The Nashville Predators made a solid move in signing Hague to a four-year extension. They get a 26-year-old blueliner for a decent period at an affordable price.
Yes, $5.5 million is an affordable cap hit, especially when considering the going rate for blueliners nowadays.
The biggest criticism of Hague is his lack of offensive output. He managed just 12 points in 68 games this past season. But that’s something that could change this upcoming season. Hague should jump into the second pairing with Brady Skjei, building a serviceable shutdown pair.
But the biggest difference for Hague will be getting out from under Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore’s shadows. Hague will have more of a chance to show what he can do offensively. That’s something the Predators will hope can translate into more offense.
All told, if this trade/signing works out as the club hopes, Hague’s $5.5 million cap hit will look like a steal next summer.