The 23-year-old defenseman has collected 10 goals and 42 points across 142 games in three years with the Vegas Golden Knights. In 2021-22, he averaged a career-high 18:40 average time-on-ice on way to finishing third among Vegas defensemen with 116 shots on goal. He enters the 2022-23 season expected to be paired on the Golden Knights' third pair alongside Zach Whitecloud.
It is unclear what is ailing Hague but he will not be available on Thursday. Dylan Coghlan skated on the top line in the morning skate and will likely take Hague's spot there in the game.
Hague was listed as day-to-day on Monday but has been upgraded to a game-time decision. The Golden Knights are already without Alec Martinez and Zach Whitecloud, so missing Hague as well would leave them very shorthanded on the blueline.
Hague is day-to-day and not expected to play Tuesday vs. the Sabres, but Alec Martinez was on the ice on Monday and could draw back in to replace him.
Hague will replace Daniil Mriomanov on the Golden Knights' blueline and re-enters the lineup with 13 points (3G / 10A) in 32 games this season. Monday will be Hague's first game since December 28th.
Hague was a healthy scratch vs. the Blue Jackets but will replace Jon Merrill in the lineup in Buffalo. Hague, who often plays on the third-pair and second power-play unit, has no goals on 44 shots with 10 assists in 34 games.
