Prospect Info: At 34th Overall the Golden Knights Select D Nicolas Hague

[CupInSIX]

Welcome to the Golden Knights

6'6 207lb defenseman from the Mississauga Steelheads

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[LastWordArmy]

At 34 the Golden Knights select Nic Hague

http://lastwordonhockeyprospects.com/2017/04/19/nicolas-hague-scouting-report-2017-nhl-draft-21/

 

[Asuna]

oooo baby what a good pick. vegas is killing it so far

 

[Anarchy Joe]

Like the pick gonna have a team of all LHD though all our defencemen old and young are leftys

 

[KnishOfTheCrease]

Big kid. Can't wait to see him develop.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Scouting Report

http://lastwordonhockeyprospects.com/2017/04/19/nicolas-hague-scouting-report-2017-nhl-draft-21/

 

[Ship It To Vegas]

Great pick. A few years away before he plays in the nhl but huge potential

 

[derriko]

Funny enough, Brannstrom was the second smallest player in the draft, and with our very next pick, we get the biggest player in the draft haha.

He's a better offensively Ben Harpur (if anyone is familiar with the Sens player)

Hulking defenseman that has plus skating for his size, and isnt afraid to skate the puck or start the break out.

Most likely a bottom pairing guy, but the potential is there for a very solid second pairing defenseman.

 

[Soundgarden]

Could have easily been a 1st rounder this year, good choice.

 

[Vegas Mac]

I love the big blueliners that can clear the crease. Welcome to Vegas Nicolas! Inspired pick IMO.

 

[HanSolo]

Really feels like we got four first rounders with this pick. Some had Hague ranked higher than Brannstrom. In fact he was higher on Bob McKenzie's final ranking.

 

[Brock]

I had Hague as the 5th best OHL'er available this year.

http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2017/05/my-final-top-50-ohl-players-for-2017_16.html

He also finished 5th in my final media/scout poll.

http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2017/06/final-mediascout-poll-for-2017-nhl-draft.html

 

[Vegas Mac]

Great pick. A few years away before he plays in the nhl but huge potential

Yeah big defensemen can take a long time to get comfortable, tend to take longer perhaps more accurately. But if there's one thing this guy has over most other guys his size it's good feet. And I like his 'tude too.

Got a feeling this guy might arrive at the big club quicker than expected.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Basically a low end 1st round pick, which would've made it 4 first rounders for Vegas this year.

He was projected as a first rounder according to Bobby Mac and ISS (hockeyprospects had him as a 2nd rounder though).

 

[BattleBorn]

Signed his ELC today.

https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/n...o-three-year-entry-level-contract/c-291457992

 

[VanIslander]

Hope he's not the next Jared Cowen.

The last thing an expansion franchise needs is to sign a big defenseman to a big contract on hopes that he will continue to develop, only to watch him flatline and be bought out.

 

[Nordiques1979]

Hope he's not the next Jared Cowen.

The last thing an expansion franchise needs is to sign a big defenseman to a big contract on hopes that he will continue to develop, only to watch him flatline and be bought out.

I see and understand the comparison with Cowen or even Tinordi. But Hague last season with Mississauga was complete domination, of course it was a man playing against kids.

Cowen last season with Spokane in WHL was good, but he needed to be polished. In Cowen situation the bad management from the Sens completely killed the kid development. They almost directly send him to the big show when he needed further development. Still mind blowing that despite his early struggles, he only played 13 games in AHL, when everyone in Ottawa said that he needed time in minor.

That's why I like what Vegas is doing with Hague, they take their time, they don't rush the kid even if he's already a growing man. They don't get fooled by his numbers in OHL and let him face vets and learn pro hockey in AHL.

 

[derriko]

I see and understand the comparison with Cowen or even Tinordi. But Hague last season with Mississauga was complete domination, of course it was a man playing against kids.

Cowen last season with Spokane in WHL was good, but he needed to be polished. In Cowen situation the bad management from the Sens completely killed the kid development. They almost directly send him to the big show when he needed further development. Still mind blowing that despite his early struggles, he only played 13 games in AHL, when everyone in Ottawa said that he needed time in minor.

That's why I like what Vegas is doing with Hague, they take their time, they don't rush the kid even if he's already a growing man. They don't get fooled by his numbers in OHL and let him face vets and learn pro hockey in AHL.

Thats only partially true in regards to Cowen. He had 2 serious injuries to his knee and / or hips, and even when he was playing, he was never 100% outside of his rookie year. He lost all mobility from those injuries, and was never above average in the IQ department to make up for it as the dead puck era was over.

Now, I'm not defending Ottawa here. After Gonchar left (who he had an amazing rookie year playing along side) Cowen had way too much responsibility too early. He needed more seasoning, but nope, hes the 2nd pairing anchor....Its the same thing Ottawa is doing now with Cody Ceci. Everyone hates Ceci, but he hasnt exactly been put in a position to succeed.

If Hague got to play with Theodore / McNabb / or even Schmidt, he would do well I think. Still, I think he needs at least 1/2 a season in the minors.

 

[Nordiques1979]

Thats only partially true in regards to Cowen. He had 2 serious injuries to his knee and / or hips, and even when he was playing, he was never 100% outside of his rookie year. He lost all mobility from those injuries, and was never above average in the IQ department to make up for it as the dead puck era was over.

Now, I'm not defending Ottawa here. After Gonchar left (who he had an amazing rookie year playing along side) Cowen had way too much responsibility too early. He needed more seasoning, but nope, hes the 2nd pairing anchor....Its the same thing Ottawa is doing now with Cody Ceci. Everyone hates Ceci, but he hasnt exactly been put in a position to succeed.

If Hague got to play with Theodore / McNabb / or even Schmidt, he would do well I think. Still, I think he needs at least 1/2 a season in the minors.

Yes obviously injuries killed Cowen, I don't even know if he's retired or not? Hopefully they won't burn Brannstrom...

I think Hague looks pretty mature already, weirdly i think he could get even bigger, if he doesn't lose mobility thought. I don't think pairing him with McNabb would great, as they're two identical players. I could zee him with Theodore.

 

[Dominance]

I have been a massive fan of this player since his pre-OHL days. He seems the kind of big, lanky defender who’ll be a solid NHL guy for a few years and then just explode into a legit top-pairing guy.

Anyhow, I see he’s starting tonight’s game on the first pair with Pietrangelo. I understand VGK is going through some blueline injury issues, but do you guys think he will stick? Play top-4 this season? Get powerplay opportunities? I’m strongly considering picking him up in fantasy and would greatly appreciate any advice. Cheers!

 

[IceNeophyte]

I have been a massive fan of this player since his pre-OHL days. He seems the kind of big, lanky defender who’ll be a solid NHL guy for a few years and then just explode into a legit top-pairing guy.

Anyhow, I see he’s starting tonight’s game on the first pair with Pietrangelo. I understand VGK is going through some blueline injury issues, but do you guys think he will stick? Play top-4 this season? Get powerplay opportunities? I’m strongly considering picking him up in fantasy and would greatly appreciate any advice. Cheers!

Two problems, the first of which he might never fix:

!. Skating. He is slow, and has taken to cheating the offensive blue line to avoid getting walked. Times when he could take a step forward to keep the puck in, he is backing up for fear that he gets blown by.

2. His turnovers are egregious and high danger. Couple that with his inability to skate, and you get opponent rushes with no defenders.

 

[The Duck Knight]

I have been a massive fan of this player since his pre-OHL days. He seems the kind of big, lanky defender who’ll be a solid NHL guy for a few years and then just explode into a legit top-pairing guy.

Anyhow, I see he’s starting tonight’s game on the first pair with Pietrangelo. I understand VGK is going through some blueline injury issues, but do you guys think he will stick? Play top-4 this season? Get powerplay opportunities? I’m strongly considering picking him up in fantasy and would greatly appreciate any advice. Cheers!

Mcnabb kind of sucks so I could see a world where Hague could take his spot in the top 4 if he is great here with Petro. Fully healthy Hague won't get any PP time.

 

[mrjiggyfly]

Two problems, the first of which he might never fix:

!. Skating. He is slow, and has taken to cheating the offensive blue line to avoid getting walked. Times when he could take a step forward to keep the puck in, he is backing up for fear that he gets blown by.

2. His turnovers are egregious and high danger. Couple that with his inability to skate, and you get opponent rushes with no defenders.

I second this

 

[azvgk]

I second this

I think he has improved greatly since last year. He's still slow, but he is learning to compensate. His hockey sense is improving. I think we have a number of problems, he isn't really one of them.