NHL: Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames - Source: Imagn — NHL: Nic Hague - Source: Imagn

NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins eyeing Golden Knights D-man

Modified Jun 08, 2025 20:25 GMT

The Vegas Golden Knights were not pleased with the fashion in which they bowed out of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Getting dismantled in a five-game second-round series to the Edmonton Oilers was not up to the lofty standards they've set since entering the league.

Many have speculated that Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon will be ultra-aggressive this summer, with the potential that he shakes up his roster. Several Golden Knights have surfaced as potential offseason trade candidates, and the most recent name to join the mix is defenseman Nic Hague.

Sportsnet NHL insider Nick Kypreos had Hague among the players on his latest offseason trade board and days later reported that the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins are showing the most interest thus far.

Hannah Kirkell of Vegas Hockey Now shared the information Kypreos provided in an article posted on X.

"Just five days after appearing on Nick Kypreos’ Offseason Trade Board, Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague once again finds his name in trade talks," Kirkell wrote Sunday. "According to Kypreos, the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins are both trying to acquire Hague."

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Hague is a pending restricted free agent, having just played out the final season of his three-year, $6,882,450 contract extension signed with the Golden Knights in 2022.

Another insider connected the Golden Knights defenseman to the Flyers

The Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins aren't the only teams attempting to acquire Nic Hague.

According to Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Philadelphia Flyers have also expressed interest in trading for the 6-foot-6, 245-pound blueliner. NHL Rumour Report provided the update from Friedman on X.

"Elliotte Friedman: Philadelphia has been linked to Vegas defenseman Nic Hague in trade talks - SN590," NHL Rumour Report tweeted.

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The 26-year-old managed 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 68 games played during the 2024-25 regular season. He's been a solid member of the Vegas defense corps throughout his career, notably playing a key role in their 2022-23 Stanley Cup run.

It feels inevitable that Hague will be dealt out of Las Vegas this summer. The question is how much deeper the changes go as the organizations seek a return to their championship ways. They will be another interesting team to follow in the coming weeks.

About the author

Jackson Weber is an NHL journalist at Sportskeeda with a Bcomm degree in Business and Sport Management from the University of Guelph.

Jackson has grown up as a lifelong Pittsburgh Penguins fan. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are his all-time favorite players. Watching the Penguins win the Stanley Cup three times is an experience that Jackson will never forget. Years later, you realize how rare it is to see your favorite team win even once, so three championships were just incredible.

When not watching, playing, or writing about sports, Jackson loves to cook and is passionate about health and nutrition.

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