The Vegas Golden Knights have officially traded defenseman Nic Hague to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Colton Sissons and Jeremy Lauzon. The move, confirmed early Monday, also came with news that Hague signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the Predators. The timing of the deal has sparked speculation, especially with Mitch Marner’s future still up in the air.
Mitch Marner Trade Talk May Stall as Nic Hague Heads to Nashville Predators
Marner, a longtime Maple Leafs star, has been linked to a sign-and-trade with the Knights. That route would have allowed the Golden Knights to offer an eight-year deal and the Maple Leafs to recoup assets before Marner hits free agency.
Something to keep an eye: on-and-off this week, Toronto and Vegas have been discussing the possibility of a sign-and-trade involving Mitch Marner
Likelihood of it happening: hard to say. But talks have occurred and continue to do so.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 28, 2025
But Hague’s name was reportedly part of the Maple Leafs’ desired return package. His sudden departure may have complicated those plans.
Insider James Mirtle has downplayed the trade’s impact, tweeting, “I don’t believe this necessarily impacts a potential Leafs-VGK deal, fwiw. Hague has been on block for while.”
I don’t believe this necessarily impacts a potential Leafs-VGK deal, fwiw. Hague has been on block for while. https://t.co/AbIo1GSFmi
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) June 30, 2025
Still, questions remain: Did the Golden Knights trade Hague to avoid losing him in a bigger package? Or are they freeing up space to land Marner as a free agent?
With Marner’s no-movement clause and hefty contract demands, the Golden Knights have limited room. Forward Nicolas Roy and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo are also being discussed. Pietrangelo could be placed on long-term injured reserve, potentially freeing $8.8 million. That, combined with other roster moves, could create the space needed for Marner’s reported $12 million salary.
How the Latest Move Impacts Marner’s Sign-and-Trade Scenario
The Maple Leafs are weighing the next step. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs might accuse the Golden Knights of tampering if Marner signs without a trade. “Teams are extremely sensitive about it,” Friedman said. Although Friedman makes it clear he has no decisive proof that the Knights are guilty of tampering, any remaining chance of the same will be done away with if the Knights send a reliable player to the Maple Leafs.
Elliotte Friedman updated the Mitch Marner, Golden Knights, Maple Leafs situation this morning on “32 Thoughts”.
This is why Friedge is the one of the best to ever do it.
What an update. Like…wow. pic.twitter.com/AnGIbsKwTc
— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) June 29, 2025
In addition, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that the league would act if tampering were reported. “If we are made aware of tampering going on, we will be required to act.”
The Golden Knights are not showing any urgency to negotiate. Some insiders believe they’re prepared to wait until Marner becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. If that happens and the Maple Leafs get nothing in return, there could be significant fallout.
Whether Hague was ever part of a trade or not, his move to the Predators sends a message: the Golden Knights play by their own rules. And with just hours left before free agency opens, the clock is ticking for the Maple Leafs to act.
