Freeing up salary-cap space ahead of Tuesday’s free-agency period, the Vegas Golden Knights shipped defenseman Nicolas Hague to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and center Colton Sissons, according to multiple media reports on Sunday night.

A restricted free agent with the Golden Knights, Hague signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the Predators, per the reports. Hague’s cap hit on his previous deal was $2,294,150.

Meanwhile, Nashville has discussed a sign-and-trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Mitch Marner, the biggest prize of the NHL’s free-agency signing period, which begins Tuesday. The Golden Knights are expected to lead the pursuit of the 28-year-old two-time All-Star, who is coming off a career-high 102-point campaign.

Hague, 26, a second-round pick of the Golden Knights in 2017, has played six seasons and posted 83 points (20 goals, 63 assists) in 364 games. In Vegas’ run to the 2023 Stanley Cup title, Hague played in 22 games and compiled six points (two goals, four assists). Hague joins star Roman Josi and Brady Skjei on the left side of the Predators’ defensive unit.

The 28-year-old Lauzon is a seven-year veteran who has 45 points (14 goals, 31 assists) in 316 games with the Boston Bruins (2018-21), Seattle Kraken (2021-22) and Predators (2022-25) since the Bruins drafted him in the second round in 2015. His cap hit for next season is $2 million.

Sissons, 31, who has spent all 11 of his NHL seasons with the Predators, carries a $2,857,143 cap hit next season. In 620 games for Nashville, who selected him in the second round of the 2015 draft, Sissons has 221 points (95 goals, 126 assists).

Next summer, Sissons and Lauzon will be unrestricted free agents.

–Field Level Media