Nicolas Hague gets placed on injured reserve
The Vegas Golden Knights lost a valuable defenseman in Nicolas Hague. What does it mean and who will step in?
The Vegas Golden Knights will face a challenge with the loss of defenseman Nicolas Hague to injured reserve. The injury, likely a lower-body issue sustained during the game against the Ottawa Senators, caused him to miss the third period of that match. He returned for a home game against the Utah Hockey Club on November 2 but was scratched for the game against the Edmonton Oilers, with Ben Hutton stepping in for him.
While Hague is sidelined, he will be replaced by a combination of Hutton and Kaedan Korczak for at least the next seven days or three games. Coach Bruce Cassidy is left with a decision-making dilemma regarding how to best utilize his remaining defensemen.
Despite the challenges of losing Hague, Cassidy has some advantageous options with Hutton and Korczak. Hague’s absence raises critical questions for Cassidy: Who should take the ice? Which defenseman is best suited for each upcoming matchup? These choices create an opportunity for Cassidy to rotate players effectively, ensuring fresh legs on the ice.
Losing Nicolas Hague significantly impacts the Golden Knights. Hague is known as a prototypical defenseman, standing at 6’6″ and 230 lbs, leveraging his size to disrupt opposing offenses. In the last two seasons, he has blocked 244 shots and delivered 270 hits, playing a physical style akin to Zdeno Chara. Without Hague, the Golden Knights’ defense becomes less robust, skewing more toward an offensive focus and reducing their physical presence.
While the remaining defensemen may offer more speed, they lack the physical edge Hague provides, which could become evident when facing tougher teams in the next week. Despite having fewer hits this season—235, ranking as the seventh-fewest in the NHL—the Golden Knights may struggle against teams eager to exploit their transition defense.
Regarding Ben Hutton and Kaeden Korczak, both bring unique strengths to the lineup. Hutton is recognized for his strong forechecking ability and experience, which allows him to handle challenging situations effectively. He also contributes offensively, adding value to his role. On the other hand, Korczak is noted for his smooth skating and reliability, making him well-suited for matchups against fast-paced teams like the Carolina Hurricanes.
This situation presents Cassidy with a beneficial headache: if he requires speed and agile defensive play, Korczak is the ideal option; for solid forechecking and veteran presence, Hutton fits the bill.
Ultimately, while losing Nicolas Hague to injury is a setback for the Golden Knights, Cassidy may be able to adjust and create a lineup that can still be effective. In fact, it could help the team become more versatile and counter opponents more efficiently.
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