The Vegas Golden Knights cleared crucial salary cap space for their acquisition of former Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner by trading defenseman Nic Hague to the Nashville Predators. In return, the Predators sent Jeremy Lauzon and forward Colton Sissons to Vegas.
Nashville wasted no time securing Hague’s future, signing him to a four-year extension worth $5.5 million per season. However, the deal has sparked debate among hockey analysts about whether the Predators overpaid.
NHL Insider Questions Predators’ $5.5 Million Gamble on Hague
While the Predators added a key piece to their blue line, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski believes Nashville general manager Barry Trotz paid too steep a price to retain Hague’s services.
Wyshynski acknowledged that acquiring Hague from the Golden Knights was reasonable, but he questioned the financial commitment Trotz made to keep the defenseman in Nashville.
“Cost of acquisition for Nic Hague was fine,” Wyshynski wrote on social media. “I think he’ll make them tougher to play against at 5v5. Like everyone else, I think the AAV on the new deal is crazy, but Trotz is hoping that rising cap + new asst. coach Luke Richardson helping Hague find another level makes it sane.”
Cost of acquisition for Nic Hague was fine. I think he'll make them tougher to play against at 5v5. Like everyone else, I think the AAV on the new deal is crazy, but Trotz is hoping that rising cap + new asst. coach Luke Richardson helping Hague find another level makes it sane.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 30, 2025
The concerns become clearer when considering Hague’s previous contract with the Golden Knights carried a significantly lower cap hit at just over $2 million per year. The Predators essentially doubled his salary, representing a substantial financial leap of faith.
Trotz Defends the Investment
Despite the criticism, Trotz remains confident in his decision and emphasized that making the team younger was a major factor in signing Hague to the extension.
“Shortly after supplying our prospect pipeline with several talented players at this weekend’s NHL Draft, we feel we’ve made our team better and younger with this trade,” Trotz said. “Nicolas’ profile as a defenseman is one that teams around the NHL covet – big and physical with strong skating ability. By signing him for four years, he will play an integral role in shaping our blueline not only now, but in the future.”
Trotz also took time to acknowledge the departing players. “I want to thank both Colton and Jeremy for their contributions to our organization. I’m proud of what Colton has been able to accomplish in our League since we drafted him back in 2012, and we were fortunate to see Jeremy further develop here in Nashville. We wish them all the best in Vegas.”
Selected 34th overall by Vegas in the 2017 NHL Draft, Hague brings solid credentials to Nashville. He has recorded 20 goals and 63 assists in 364 career regular season games, while contributing three goals and seven assists across 44 postseason contests. The 26-year-old also earned a Stanley Cup ring with the Golden Knights in 2023, adding championship experience to his resume.
