Vegas Golden Knights explore trading key defensemen

Nicholas Hague, Zach Whitecloud, and Brayden McNabb, as highlighted by Jesse Granger of The Athletic and Kevin Allen of Vegas Hockey Now.

These three defensemen, each with distinct strengths and significant potential, are drawing attention from teams across the league looking to bolster their defensive corps.

Hague, the 6-foot-6, 230lbs defenseman, is known for his imposing stature and offensive capabilities. His blend of size and skill makes him an attractive option for teams needing to strengthen their blue line. Over his five-year career, spent entirely with Vegas, Hague has recorded 15 goals, 56 assists, 71 total points, a +22 plus/minus rating, 415 blocked shots, and 490 hits across 296 games played.

Whitecloud, praised for his reliability and all-around play, offers a solid option for teams looking to enhance their defensive depth. The 27-year-old has also spent his entire six-year NHL career with Vegas, putting up 17 goals, 41 assists, 58 total points, a +43 plus/minus rating, 409 blocked shots, and 412 hits across 247 games played.

Meanwhile, McNabb's veteran presence and physical style make him a prime target for contenders seeking experienced defensive depth. The 33-year-old, who has played seven years with Vegas and 12 years in the NHL, has had his best seasons with the Golden Knights. McNabb has recorded 21 goals, 88 assists, 109 total points, a +93 plus/minus rating, 1,107 blocked shots, and 1,228 hits across 502 games played.

The Golden Knights face cap constraints and upcoming free agency decisions, particularly around key forward Jonathan Marchessault, complicating roster management. GM Kelly McCrimmon might consider moving one or more of these defensemen to free up space and secure financial flexibility.

Hague and Whitecloud, both on reasonably priced contracts, and McNabb, with his modest cap hit, are seen as viable options to potentially trade away to achieve better cap balance and address other roster needs. Hague has one more year remaining on his 3-year, $6.88M contract ($2.29M AAV), while Whitecloud is entering the third year of his 6-year, $16.5M contract ($2.75M AAV). McNabb is also entering the final year of his 3-year, $8.55M contract ($2.85M AAV), signed back in 2022.

As the Vegas Golden Knights navigate these trade possibilities, the futures of Hague, Whitecloud, and McNabb remain uncertain. Teams across the NHL will be closely monitoring these developments, eager to potentially add these talented defensemen to their rosters.