The Nashville Predators have high expectations for their newly acquired defenseman, Nicholas Hague. On June 29th, Nashville obtained Hague in a three-player trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, agreeing to cover 50% of Colton Sissons’ salary while sending Jeremy Lauzon and center Colton Sissons to Vegas.
Hague has signed a four-year contract worth $22 million, with the Predators keen to invest in the 6-foot-6 defender. General Manager Barry Trotz expressed hopes that Hague will play in the team’s top defensive pairing as part of their NHL project.
Statistically, Hague has not been a top-four defenseman throughout his professional career. Over six seasons in Vegas, he primarily played in the bottom pairing and never scored more than 17 points in a season. During the 2024-25 season, he recorded 12 points in 68 games, with a minus-two rating.
The Predators aim to build a bigger and younger roster but also recognize the need to improve scoring across all ice positions. Trotz noted that wingers and defensemen must step up to offset the team’s lack of depth at center.
Despite playing in an offensively active defensive system last season, Hague’s scoring was limited. His anticipated defensive partner, Roman Josi, has historically been an offensive driver from the blue line, averaging around 52 points over 14 seasons with a minus-four rating. Even last season, when he missed the end due to a health diagnosis, Josi scored 38 points in 53 games. He is expected to return for training camp and play a major role in driving offense from the defense.
This raises the question: will Hague complement Josi, who has yet to prove himself as a significant offensive threat from the blue line despite being Nashville’s top scorer from the point? Josi started the season paired with Brady Skjei but shuffled partners throughout due to injuries, preventing a stable defensive pairing.
Part of the plan is to expand the team’s scoring by placing Josi and Skjei on different lines to activate scoring depth rather than relying too heavily on the top pairing. The pairing of Hague and Josi could create more ice for Josi, as Hague’s size and traditional defensive style might allow Josi to surpass 60 points for the first time since the 2023-24 season.
However, this pairing could also face challenges and may require mutual effort. Hague’s role in the top four is a new challenge for him. While he played for a strong Stanley Cup-winning team in 2023, he has yet to prove himself as a scorer.
Predator fans need to understand that Hague is valued more for his size and physicality rather than offensive production. Trotz tends to favor big, solid players, but they don’t always contribute substantial points. Hague has not been an offensive threat since his junior days nearly a decade ago.
If Nashville expects Hague to keep pace with Josi offensively, statistics suggest that is unlikely.
Fan Take: This trade highlights Nashville’s strategic shift toward building a stronger defensive backbone with size and physicality, which could reshape their playing style. For hockey fans, it’s intriguing to watch how this pairing will impact the team’s dynamics and whether it signals a broader trend of emphasizing defense-first players in the NHL.
