Any thoughts on trying to acquire LHD Nick Hague from Vegas

[WeWentBlues]

Hague can really shoot the puck, but with Petro as a partner....he had to change his game. I think he may blossom away from Vegas and away from Petro as a partner. He has room to grow offensively and is definitely better than what we have in shutdown d-men. The only question would be at what cost? I think I would inquire of Zach Whitecloud if they would rather keep Hague. He is a better fit in our defense. At the end of the day, they just need to find a deal to unload Marco Scandella.

Sign him to an offer sheet at 4.2M. Vegas will get our 2023 1st and 2023 3rd. Cheaper asset wise than acquiring Chychrun. Less AAV than what Leddy is asking for.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Sign him to an offer sheet at 4.2M. Vegas will get our 2023 1st and 2023 3rd. Cheaper asset wise than acquiring Chychrun. Less AAV than what Leddy is asking for.

First, Hague’s usage in Vegas was of 3rd pairing D. Seems like quite a leap to plug him next to Parayko for 23 minutes a night. And be worth that compensation. That is not a DA move.

Second, you don’t know what Leddy will sign for. I’d be shocked if he gets $5mm+.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

So, we want to slam Scandella at 3.275 but we want to pay Hague 4.2?

 

[WeWentBlues]

So, we want to slam Scandella at 3.275 but we want to pay Hague 4.2?

If we think Hague has the potential to develop into a top 4 D (which I do), then signing him to an AAV of 4.2M is the only way you are going to get him. Vegas has cap issues and matching 4.2M would be difficult.

We don't have our 2nd round pick in 2023 so we cant sign him to an offer sheet in the 2nd round pick compensation range (2.1M to 4.2M). If Vegas were to match the 4.2M, it weakens their NHL roster.

Given our needs, cap constraints and the cost to acquire a different top 4 D (either trade or free agency), I personally think Hague at 4.2M makes a lot of sense.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

If we think Hague has the potential to develop into a top 4 D (which I do), then signing him to an AAV of 4.2M is the only way you are going to get him. Vegas has cap issues and matching 4.2M would be difficult.

We don't have our 2nd round pick in 2023 so we cant sign him to an offer sheet in the 2nd round pick compensation range (2.1M to 4.2M). If Vegas were to match the 4.2M, it weakens their NHL roster.

Given our needs, cap constraints and the cost to acquire a different top 4 D (either trade or free agency), I personally think Hague at 4.2M makes a lot of sense.

This makes zero sense. Thankfully we aren’t stupid enough to overpay for potential.

 

[rumrokh]

For the people who really like Hague and/or his potential, do you watch him play and not see how his extreme lack of foot speed hinders his defending? Do you really think that's going to improve significantly?

I understand liking his shot or size or age, but I don't understand much else. It's like reading comments from people who like how he develops in a video game, but haven't watched him play. I'm not saying that's all or even any one of you. But that's what it feels like. It's like when fans from other teams think Kyrou is a center.

 

[ChuckLefley]

Hague can really shoot the puck, but with Petro as a partner....he had to change his game. I think he may blossom away from Vegas and away from Petro as a partner. He has room to grow offensively and is definitely better than what we have in shutdown d-men. The only question would be at what cost? I think I would inquire of Zach Whitecloud if they would rather keep Hague. He is a better fit in our defense. At the end of the day, they just need to find a deal to unload Marco Scandella.

I know he can shoot…just not on target. Like I said he is redundant, another Parayko. Do we really need that? When it comes to playing with Pietrangel, doesn’t that show that he really isn’t suited to be a top 4 with the Blues? If he can’t play that role with a very good offensive partner, what is he going to do with Krug or Faulk?

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I know he can shoot…just not on target. Like I said he is redundant, another Parayko. Do we really need that? When it comes to playing with Pietrangel, doesn’t that show that he really isn’t suited to be a top 4 with the Blues? If he can’t play that role with a very good offensive partner, what is he going to do with Krug or Faulk?

If you noticed in my post, then I said I would rather have or inquire of Zach Whitecloud at 2.75 million for 4 more years. They can keep Hague at 4mil plus.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

If we think Hague has the potential to develop into a top 4 D (which I do), then signing him to an AAV of 4.2M is the only way you are going to get him. Vegas has cap issues and matching 4.2M would be difficult.

We don't have our 2nd round pick in 2023 so we cant sign him to an offer sheet in the 2nd round pick compensation range (2.1M to 4.2M). If Vegas were to match the 4.2M, it weakens their NHL roster.

Given our needs, cap constraints and the cost to acquire a different top 4 D (either trade or free agency), I personally think Hague at 4.2M makes a lot of sense.

His current play does not warrant a 4+mil contract. And for sure doesn't warrant a 1st and 3rd rounder added on. If we're trading or first we better get an actual top 4 LHD not a 3rd pairing that can hopefully move up to a top 4.

 

[DatDude44]

For the people who really like Hague and/or his potential, do you watch him play and not see how his extreme lack of foot speed hinders his defending? Do you really think that's going to improve significantly?

I understand liking his shot or size or age, but I don't understand much else. It's like reading comments from people who like how he develops in a video game, but haven't watched him play. I'm not saying that's all or even any one of you. But that's what it feels like. It's like when fans from other teams think Kyrou is a center.

I've personally liked hague since the draft, wanted him instead of klim with #31....and i think he COULD develop into a reliable minute muncher in the top 4 and provide a little of everything.....but there is no way in hell i think we should be moving a 1st and 3rd for the guy and paying him only 400K less than chycrun. He is not nearly proven enough and if we need to beat colorado in the future to get to another cup final. I don't think this the guy to do it........ I'd personally much rather give up more assets and acquire chycrun, he is much more proven, a year younger and only a year older, and a much better skater with a nice physical gifts that can allow him to play a top pair role against other teams elite fwds on a pair with parayko or faulk and provide puck moving ability, some goal scoring ability and some physicality and consistent defensive play.

If we were to acquire hague...it'd be in a trade for his rights like a alexandrov type prospect and a late 2nd or 3rd or something along those lines then he probably would sign a bridge deal around 2.5m

 

[rumrokh]

I've personally liked hague since the draft, wanted him instead of klim with #31....and i think he COULD develop into a reliable minute muncher in the top 4 and provide a little of everything.....but there is no way in hell i think we should be moving a 1st and 3rd for the guy and paying him only 400K less than chycrun. He is not nearly proven enough and if we need to beat colorado in the future to get to another cup final. I don't think this the guy to do it........ I'd personally much rather give up more assets and acquire chycrun, he is much more proven, a year younger and only a year older, and a much better skater with a nice physical gifts that can allow him to play a top pair role against other teams elite fwds on a pair with parayko or faulk and provide puck moving ability, some goal scoring ability and some physicality and consistent defensive play.

If we were to acquire hague...it'd be in a trade for his rights like a alexandrov type prospect and a late 2nd or 3rd or something along those lines then he probably would sign a bridge deal around 2.5m

Right. I think you're still overvaluing a player with his limitations, but this makes some sense.

However, it still doesn't really address his massive shortcoming. Do you see him making up for that in some way, or would you be interested in acquiring him under the assumption that never improves?

 

[DatDude44]

Right. I think you're still overvaluing a player with his limitations, but this makes some sense.

However, it still doesn't really address his massive shortcoming. Do you see him making up for that in some way, or would you be interested in acquiring him under the assumption that never improves?

Skating and physical attributes are much easier to improve then mental ones. I think his skating can improve enough given his size, reach and offensive skill to meet the minimum threshold of a run of the mill #3-4D, so yes, i'd say he's worth an alexandrov+ 3rd type of trade and a prove it contract for 2 years. If he doesn't work out then you reeally didn't lose much, whereas moving a 1st+ for him and signing him to 4.2 mill given the current cap situation and our looks of competing for a cup could be disastrous for us. I'd take him over mikkola and rosen and we see how far we got with those guys playing big minutes a the end of the season/playoffs.

 

[Celtic Note]

So, we want to slam Scandella at 3.275 but we want to pay Hague 4.2?

Not the collective “we”.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Not the collective “we”.

Just trying to make a point of how insane it is.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

Skating and physical attributes are much easier to improve then mental ones. I think his skating can improve enough given his size, reach and offensive skill to meet the minimum threshold of a run of the mill #3-4D, so yes, i'd say he's worth an alexandrov+ 3rd type of trade and a prove it contract for 2 years. If he doesn't work out then you reeally didn't lose much, whereas moving a 1st+ for him and signing him to 4.2 mill given the current cap situation and our looks of competing for a cup could be disastrous for us. I'd take him over mikkola and rosen and we see how far we got with those guys playing big minutes a the end of the season/playoffs.

I’m not sure how much improvement in his skating is realistically possible. He’s 23 and should be very near his prime years. Guys don’t magically become better skaters at that point. If he was 18 and still needed to work on it I’d say there was hope. But that’s not the case here.

 

[DatDude44]

I’m not sure how much improvement in his skating is realistically possible. He’s 23 and should be very near his prime years. Guys don’t magically become better skaters at that point. If he was 18 and still needed to work on it I’d say there was hope. But that’s not the case here.

U can still improve footwork, I don't think his skating is as bad as others say it is either, i think with experience and playing time the game will slow down for him in his head and the skating people thought was holding him back magically doesn't seem like as large of a problem when he's diagnosing plays and reading the game a split second or two quicker as well.

Either way, i agree with those saying not trade premium assets for him. But if we can get him on a bargain, i'm in for seeing if we can develop him into what alot of us hoped he'd become.

 

[WeWentBlues]

U can still improve footwork, I don't think his skating is as bad as others say it is either, i think with experience and playing time the game will slow down for him in his head and the skating people thought was holding him back magically doesn't seem like as large of a problem when he's diagnosing plays and reading the game a split second or two quicker as well.

Either way, i agree with those saying not trade premium assets for him. But if we can get him on a bargain, i'm in for seeing if we can develop him into what alot of us hoped he'd become.

Not going to get him for a bargain as Vegas is high on him and will be relying on his cheap deal this season to help with their cap, making a guy like Martinez expendable.

 

[DatDude44]

Not going to get him for a bargain as Vegas is high on him and will be relying on his cheap deal this season to help with their cap, making a guy like Martinez expendable.

Then it's moot then. If we're moving a 1st... it better be in a package for chycrun or provorov not a guy like hague

 

[Brian39]

Then it's moot then. If we're moving a 1st... it better be in a package for chycrun or provorov not a guy like hague

I'm not moving our 1st for Provorov without confirmation that he is currently in the US with no plans to return to Russia for the rest of summer. He's still in the age group where Russia demands a year of military service and they just made it clear that they are willing to enforce that requirement on a Russian player who tried to leave to go to the NHL from the KHL.

Fedotov was an 'easy' target as a non-star, but there are reports that Kaprizov is wanted for essentially the same thing. Provorov usually trains in Russia during the summer and the Flyers have been quiet on his whereabouts.

I don't think that Russia preventing all of their under 28 athletes from leaving is the most likely future, but I wouldn't say that it is far-fetched. Putin has always used hockey as a political tool and I wouldn't be surprised if that means he is going to use hockey players as political tools.

I'm not risking my 1st on a bet that Provorov is allowed to leave Russia to return to the US. If he is there, I'm out of any trade discussion for anything close to his real value.

 

[BlueSeal]

Hague can really shoot the puck, but with Petro as a partner....he had to change his game. I think he may blossom away from Vegas and away from Petro as a partner. He has room to grow offensively and is definitely better than what we have in shutdown d-men. The only question would be at what cost? I think I would inquire of Zach Whitecloud if they would rather keep Hague. He is a better fit in our defense. At the end of the day, they just need to find a deal to unload Marco Scandella.

Whitecloud should be the direction of the type of player we’re looking for. We need a JayBo type, anything else is a waste of time. If we’re moving a 1st, we should get the kind of player we want, not someone like Hague.