Nause saw a solid jump in production his sophomore professional season. He went from six points in 27 games last year to 29 in 63 this year. Solid numbers for a defenseman. However, Nause’s production came entirely in the ECHL where he was the third most productive defenseman on the team. The skating still stands out as Nause’s strongest attribute, clearly one of the better skaters in the ECHL, but he has yet to be able to tie it all together. Next year he will likely jump to the AHL but unfortunately, Nause’s development has not gone as once hoped. He has struggled heavily with his health since being drafted. With one year left on his contract with the Panthers, Nause will need to prove next year in the AHL that he is worth keeping around, otherwise he will not receive a qualifying offer. Hopefully for Nause, and the Panthers, he can take a big step next year.

Last year was a tad worrying for Nause as he struggled to stay healthy and when he was able to get into games, he was not producing. However, 2024-25 has been a new leaf for Nause and he looks like a rejuvenated player in the ECHL. Through 28 games last year, Nause managed five points, all assists, while struggling in his minutes. This year, through eight games in the ECHL, Nause has found his footing and has produced five points, all assists. He has been performing well with four of those five points coming in his last five games. Hopefully, Nause can stay healthy this year, make the jump to the AHL at some point, and reestablish an upward trajectory for his career development.

Nause’s first year playing professional hockey was lackluster. Playing in only 37 total games, Nause struggled to stay healthy and when he was, he split time between the AHL and ECHL. Nause’s game looked better in the ECHL where he had more time and space and hopefully, it will translate next year to the AHL. Nause seems to be a ways away from the NHL and his upside has become a bit limited with a few poor seasons but the tools, namely his skating, are still there. If Nause can put everything together, he projects as a solid and mobile bottom-pairing defenseman who can chip in potentially on a second power play unit. Hopefully, Nause will be healthy for the 2024-25 season where he can solidify his NHL outlook.

Nause continues to progress slowly, now in his third QMJHL campaign. He is producing fairly well but is still under the point-per-game mark, which is not overly promising given that this is his Draft+2. Mobility and hockey sense continue to be above-average strengths, however, and those assets alone might be enough for him to realize his potential as a third-pair NHL defender.

Nause was selected in the second round, 56th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Cool, calm and collected, Nause is the kind of defenseman that you just don’t have to worry about. The Quebec defender is mobile and agile on his feet and although he doesn’t blow anyone away with his speed, he takes excellent paths to the puck. Nause ability to make decisions quickly and correctly with incredible consistency is what makes him such a capable player. Whether it be on a puck retrieval while dealing with a heavy forecheck of keeping the puck in at the offensive blueline, Nause understands what the best play is and makes it before his opponent can even react. His defensive game is smart and built around his mobility and play-reading ability. He is quite good in transition and he can make the first pass to the open man or he has the patience to control the play and take him time. Moving up ice, he will wait to draw opponents to him before sending a pass to a vacated area for his teammates. Nause is likely a better option on the second powerplay because he lacks that dynamic ability you’d like but he is a perfectly capable facilitator at the blueline who can patrol the point with confidence. There isn’t much that Nause doesn’t do at least at a slightly above average level.