Golden Knights May Be Looking to Make Significant Move

With training camp under way, perhaps the most talked about situation involving the Vegas Golden Knights right now is the absence of Nicolas Hague.

Hague, 23, is not around the Golden Knights at this time as he is still awaiting a new contract. Several reports as of late have suggested the two sides are still a ways apart, as general manager Kelly McCrimmon doesn’t appear to be budging whatsoever. It is an odd and concerning development, though according to Elliotte Friedman, there may be reason behind it.

“I don’t think there is any doubt that Vegas wants the player,” Friedman said regarding Hague on the latest episode of his 32 Thoughts podcast. “But with all these injuries they have a bit of cap room now. You know how Vegas is, they are always wanting to do something. So there are a couple of teams wondering if Vegas is up to something,”

It should be noted that Friedman doesn’t say these things lightly. He is highly regarded as the best insider in the NHL for a reason, and doesn’t suggest things like this without having some sort of intel. With that said, it seems that Golden Knights management is indeed looking at making a move of some sort, likely in the form of a trade.

Who that player is that they may be looking at bringing in remains anyone’s guess. The most notable player available right now is Jakob Chychrun of the Arizona Coyotes, though the Golden Knights would likely prefer to bolster their goaltending and forward group before adding another blue liner. That said, the Golden Knights seem to always be in on the big-named players whenever they become available, meaning that they could very well be considering making a move to add the 24-year-old defenseman. If they are to make a deal, expect it to be one that takes place before the start of the 2022-23 season.