Ryan McDonagh always had a soft spot for Tampa Bay.
At 35, McDonagh spent five seasons with the Lightning, winning two Stanley Cups and being part of an unforgettable NHL era. He never wanted to leave but had to when the team traded him to Nashville Predators for salary cap reasons.
This offseason, McDonagh approached Barry Trotz and asked to be traded back. Trotz agreed, and the Lightning made it happen.
McDonagh is now back in Tampa Bay and feeling much better than he did over the last two years. “It’s a very special place for me and my family,” he shared with Da Beauty League via NHL.com. “Two of my kids were born there. Between that and winning, those were some big moments I had there. And it’s a great community. A great place to raise your kids and a great market to play hockey, with an organization that’s behind you.”
Team Changes:
While many familiar faces remain in the locker room, things aren’t quite the same as when McDonagh left. His close friend Steven Stamkos is no longer with the team; ironically, Stamkos signed a four-year deal worth $32M with Nashville Predators during free agency.
McDonagh would have loved to reunite with his buddy but understands that hockey is unpredictable. “That’s just how business works,” he said. “Things don’t always go as planned… I’m sure he wanted to stay too, but he’s happy about Nashville.”
Fans might feel bittersweet about these changes.
The main reason behind McDonagh’s trade request was his desire to finish his career in Tampa Bay. With two years left on his contract at $6.75M per year, he’ll be 37 by the time he’s eligible for free agency—but it’s likely he’ll retire before joining another team.
What do you think about this?
