Vegas Gambles Big: Stanley Cup Champion Shipped to Nashville in Mega-Deal

Paul Riverbank, 6/30/2025In a strategic NHL reshuffling, Vegas and Nashville have executed a compelling three-player trade, with defenseman Nicolas Hague moving to Nashville (securing a $22M extension) while veterans Jeremy Lauzon and Colton Sissons head to Vegas. The deal reflects both teams' distinct approaches to roster evolution and competitive positioning.

Nashville wasted no time putting their stamp on the acquisition. Within hours, they'd locked up Hague – a towering presence at 6'6" – to a $22 million extension spanning four years. It's the kind of commitment that raises eyebrows, especially for a defender who's shown flashes of brilliance but hasn't yet hit his ceiling.

I've watched Hague develop since his junior days in Mississauga. His offensive instincts have always been there – just look at his 83 points across 364 NHL appearances. Last year's numbers (5 goals, 7 assists in 68 games) don't tell the whole story of his impact during Vegas's Cup run.

The Golden Knights' return package is... interesting. Lauzon comes with question marks after missing significant time this season. One assist in 28 games isn't exactly setting the world on fire, though anyone who's followed his career knows he brings more to the table than the stat sheet suggests.

Then there's Sissons. The longtime Predator – drafted 50th back in 2012 when Nashville was still trying to establish itself as a hockey market – brings that vital mix of experience and versatility. His numbers (95 goals and 126 assists over 690 games) won't blow you away, but ask any coach about his value in the room and on the penalty kill.

"Strategic" is the word being thrown around by analysts, and sure, that fits. But this feels more like a calculated gamble by both sides. Nashville gets younger and potentially more dynamic on the blue line. Vegas adds some much-needed veteran stability – something they've clearly prioritized since hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup.

The real verdict won't come until we see how these pieces fit into their new homes. Hockey's funny that way – sometimes the trades that seem minor on paper end up shifting the balance of power in ways nobody expected.

Mind you, I wouldn't be surprised if we look back at this deal in a few years and see it as the moment when both teams found exactly what they needed. Though in this league, you never really know until the puck drops.

The NHL's trade landscape shifted dramatically yesterday as Vegas and Nashville completed a deal that few saw coming. In a move that rippled through Western Conference front offices, the defending champion Golden Knights bid farewell to Cup-winning defenseman Nicolas Hague while welcoming veterans Jeremy Lauzon and Colton Sissons.Nashville wasted no time putting their stamp on the acquisition. Within hours, they'd locked up Hague – a towering presence at 6'6" – to a $22 million extension spanning four years. It's the kind of commitment that raises eyebrows, especially for a defender who's shown flashes of brilliance but hasn't yet hit his ceiling.I've watched Hague develop since his junior days in Mississauga. His offensive instincts have always been there – just look at his 83 points across 364 NHL appearances. Last year's numbers (5 goals, 7 assists in 68 games) don't tell the whole story of his impact during Vegas's Cup run.The Golden Knights' return package is... interesting. Lauzon comes with question marks after missing significant time this season. One assist in 28 games isn't exactly setting the world on fire, though anyone who's followed his career knows he brings more to the table than the stat sheet suggests.Then there's Sissons. The longtime Predator – drafted 50th back in 2012 when Nashville was still trying to establish itself as a hockey market – brings that vital mix of experience and versatility. His numbers (95 goals and 126 assists over 690 games) won't blow you away, but ask any coach about his value in the room and on the penalty kill."Strategic" is the word being thrown around by analysts, and sure, that fits. But this feels more like a calculated gamble by both sides. Nashville gets younger and potentially more dynamic on the blue line. Vegas adds some much-needed veteran stability – something they've clearly prioritized since hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup.The real verdict won't come until we see how these pieces fit into their new homes. Hockey's funny that way – sometimes the trades that seem minor on paper end up shifting the balance of power in ways nobody expected.Mind you, I wouldn't be surprised if we look back at this deal in a few years and see it as the moment when both teams found exactly what they needed. Though in this league, you never really know until the puck drops.