Predators acquire Hague, sign him to 4-year, $22M deal

The Vegas Golden Knights traded defenseman Nic Hague and a conditional 2027 third-round pick to the Nashville Predators for center Colton Sissons and blue-liner Jeremy Lauzon, the teams announced Monday.

The Predators retained 50% of Sissons' salary. If Vegas wins two rounds in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 2027 third-rounder becomes a 2026 second-round pick.

Hague signed a four-year contract carrying a $5.5-million average annual value with Nashville. He was set to become a restricted free agent July 1.

The 6-foot-6, 245-pound defenseman won a Stanley Cup with Vegas in 2023. He's primarily been a third-pairing defenseman during his six seasons with the Golden Knights but could see an increased role on a Predators blue line that lacks experience behind Roman Josi and Brady Skjei.

Hague, 26, notched five goals and seven assists in 68 games last season. He's never reached the 20-point mark in a single season but is known for his physical play and ability to defend in front of the crease.

Lauzon is also a stay-at-home defenseman, collecting just one assist in 28 games last season. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder led the NHL with 386 hits in 2023-24. The 28-year-old is signed through next season with a $2-million cap hit.

Sissons has spent his entire 11-year career with the Predators, where he's primarily served as a bottom-six center and penalty-kill specialist. The 31-year-old has reached the 15-goal mark twice and the 30-point plateau three times, but he was limited to seven goals and 21 points in 72 games last season. He's under contract for one more year at $2.86 million.