Look who’s back, back again. Mac is back, tell a friend! In the first major trade of the offseason, the Tampa Bay Lightning has acquired former defenseman Ryan McDonagh and a 2024 fourth-round draft pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2024 seventh-rounder and 2025 second-round pick.
Originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, McDonagh has played for the New York Rangers, Lightning and Predators in his career. His peak years came in Tampa Bay, where he routinely shut down opponents on the way to winning back to back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. He also was part of the 2022 team that fell short of becoming a modern day dynasty, losing in six games to the Colorado Avalanche.
The salary cap forced the team to make some hard decisions, though, with general manager Julien Brisebois trading McDonagh to the Predators for Philippe Myers and forward prospect Grant Mismash.
A great leader on the ice, he will be a great addition to a Lightning defense core that boasts a lot of youth. Both Darren Raddysh and Nick Perbix recently finished their second pro seasons, while Emil Lilleberg and Max Crozier saw time in the 2023-24’ season. All should be on the team next season, along with veterans Erik Cernak, Mikhail Sergachev, and Victor Hedman, barring a trade.
Predators general manager Barry Trotz told NHL.com he made this move to fulfill an ask from McDonagh who, in his end of the season sit down, asked if there was ever an opportunity for him to return to Tampa Bay, could that be explored?
McDonagh himself was excited about the trade, stating that he’s already spoken to Steven Stamkos. He went on to say via NHL.com, “The leadership there is obviously still tremendous. I called Stammer today, and he’s just getting off the ice with Nikita Kucherov. What is it, May 21st or whatever…how can you not be excited to join a group of guys like that, who are working on their game here after just being bounced in the first round? That’s the standard that the coaching staff, management, and the players have built there.”
While McDonagh’s $6.75 million contract over the next two seasons leaves the Lightning with a shade over $5 million in available cap space, Brisebois has said that will not impact the team’s ability to re-sign Stamkos. That leads many to believe that there’s probably another trade or two coming unless the captain takes a big discount. The presence of a guy that helped lead this team to their best finishes might be what convinces the captain to remain in Tampa Bay.
Can the Lightning rekindle some of their previous success? While unknown, the addition of McDonagh helps the defensive side of things. Signing Stamkos to go with the likes of Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Brandon Hagel will go a long way towards making the offense dangerous. Factor in a healthy Andrei Vasilevskiy, and the sky is the limit for this team.
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