The Stanley Cup finals are still underway. The Colorado Avalanche and the Tampa Bay Lightning have yet to hoist the greatest trophy in all sports. Most teams have filled their coaching vacancies and still finding ways to improve their squads. With the draft upcoming and the free agency, teams are getting their financial ducks in a row. Today’s rumours focus on the Vegas Golden Knights. Nicolas Hague could be involved in a trade. Due to the cap crunch, the pending RFA may not fit in the budget plans for the team going forward.
Nicolas Hague Could Be On His Way Out
Rumour: Ryan Kennedy reports that two Eastern Conference teams could be interested in Nicolas Hague
Hearing at least two Eastern Conference teams are seriously interested in acquiring Vegas defenseman Nic Hague. Golden Knights obviously in a cap crunch right now; Hague needs new RFA contract.
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) June 26, 2022
As we all know the Vegas Golden Knights are in a cap crunch. With the recent signing of a verbal agreement with winger Reilly Smith, there is not enough money to go around. Nicolas Hague is a pending RFA and needs a new contract. A very good player in his own right has become expendable due to the cap casualty the team faces.
The Statistics
Hague has been consistent from a production standpoint. Typically spending time on the bottom pair, he has also logged minutes playing on the top pair. The 6’6 230-pound defenceman has all the tools to be an offensive defenceman, while also being reliable in his end. It also helps that he is only 23 years old.
Throughout his tenure in Vegas, Hague has spent 918.45 minutes paired with Zach Whitecloud and the pair finished with a Corsi For Percentage of 51.91% and an expected goals percentage of 53.65%. While being paired on the top line with Alex Pietrangelo, the duo posted a CF% at 52.49% and XGF% at 52.73%. Another top pair rearguard was Shea Theodore and the duo also posted solid numbers for the Vegas Golden Knights. Together they posted a CF% of 50% and XGF% of 47.54%. These are large sample sizes and the Vegas Golden Knights were a better team with him on the ice than off the ice.
In 52 games played this season, he went on to score four goals, 10 assists, and 14 points. He fired the puck a lot this season finishing with 116 shots on goal. For his entire career, he has 10 goals, 32 assists, and 42 points. Hague averaged 18:39 of ice time this season, proving that he can handle the load.
Why Teams Should Come Calling
Hague will most likely be involved in a trade. It is just a matter as to where he will be traded to. He is a big defenceman who makes an impact on the ice and provides value to the lineup. Hague is solid in transition and has the tools to become a solid offensive defenceman in this league. Standing at the towering height that he is, he is tough to play against on his end. While he needs a new deal, any team looking for a young blueliner that has not hit his peak yet should come calling.
Who Should Trade For Nicholas Hague
New York Islanders
The Islanders are a team that is full of veterans. With looking to get younger and upgrade the back end, it should be a no-brainer to take a look into Hague. While the attention should be shifting towards signing offensive dynamo Noah Dobson, Hague would make for a good pair.
Detroit Red Wings
Steve Yzerman would love this. Moritz Seider stands to be 6’4, Filip Hronek is 6’0, and Gustav Lindstrom is 6’3. While being young, Hague coming to a youthful core Detroit fits the build. Also being 6’6 would help form a tower of a blueline.
