Ryan McDonagh stuns with latest move right after trade to Tampa!

A lot has happened in the past few days in veteran defenseman Ryan McDonaugh’s life. On Tuesday, the blue liner, along with a 2024 fourth-round pick, was shipped from the Nashville Predators to his old club of the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade for a 2024 seventh-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick. McDonagh is heading into the sixth season of a seven-year, $47.25 million contract with an average annual of $6.75 million.

The Lightning originally traded McDonagh to the Predators in July 2022, and so, this is an exciting reunion for the 34-year-old player.

However, it’s been quite a roller-coaster week for McDonagh, who was not only the centrepiece of the first real transaction of the offseason, but was also busy off the ice, “working on his on-ice resume for his entire life,” as the National Hockey League Players’ Association puts it.

On Wednesday, it was announced that McDonagh had just earned his degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, just a day after the trade that sent him back to Tampa.

While McDonagh has put up impressive numbers since his career kicked off once he was selected by the Montreal Canadiens 12th overall in 2007, he has played more hockey than he has left to play. And so, it is inspiring to see him add this accomplishment to his resume, getting the next chapter of his life ready, once he decides to hang up the skates.

Last season in Nashville, McDonagh collected three goals and 32 points in 74 games. He added one assists in six contests as the Predators were eliminated in the first round series against the Vancouver Canucks.

McDonagh helped the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. In 2009, he had landed in New York for eight seasons as part of the trade that sent Rangers’ Scott Gomez to Montreal. The defenseman was then dealt to the Lightning in February 2018.

In 928 career NHL games, McDonagh has registered 76 goals and 389 points split between the Rangers, Lightning and Predators.

He is looking to get more in Tampa, with possibly another championship to put up next to his degree.

Recommended articles:

• Barry Trotz tips his hand a bit when asked about possible Mitch Marner trade
• Lightning pull off a major trade today
• Predators trade veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh
• Ryan McDonagh shares the truth on Nikita Kucherov’s controversial injury
• Chris Kreider sounds off on Jacob Trouba earning captaincy