The 36-year-old blueliner doesn’t play the flashiest of games, but the Lightning went out and re-acquired him in May of 2024 for a reason. Moreover, McDonagh wanted to return to the Lightning after spending nearly two seasons with the Nashville Predators.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lightning Knew What They Were Getting, Preds Knew What They Lost<\/p>\n
(Almost) former Predators GM Barry Trotz, at the time, noted that the deal<\/a> was \u201ca request a little bit from Ryan.\u201d Trotz, who has handled his fair share of outstanding players, noted how tremendous a leader McDonagh is. Now, intending to push for a third Stanley Cup championship together, the Lightning are again beneficiaries of what the St. Paul, Minnesota native brings, both on and off the ice.<\/p>\n It’s no coincidence that the teams that have traded McDonagh struggle to fill his leadership void. Think the Predators could have used his steady presence as they tried to chase down a playoff spot down the stretch of the season? It stands to reason that the New York Rangers could use a voice like McDonagh’s as they try to rectify a culture that, from the outside, seems shattered.<\/p>\n Tampa knows what it has, though. That is why McDonagh is already signed to an extension carrying him through the 2028-29 campaign. He (probably) isn’t going to singlehandedly break down a defense like Cale Makar. No one will mistake him for Quinn Hughes. But there isn’t a more battle-tested defenseman in the modern NHL, and this latest accolade for McDonagh further illustrates that point.<\/p>\n McDonagh’s Example Setting & Leadership Anchors Lightning Blue Line<\/p>\n If a fan tries to find McDonagh’s impact on the Lightning in the postseason, they’ll be doing themselves a disservice by simply checking the stat sheet. Across those 200 games (and counting), the defender has found the back of the net just 12 times. He’s heard his name announced with an assist just 57 times. Seventeen of his 69 total playoff points came with the Rangers in 2013-14, seemingly eroding his value in the offensive zone even more.<\/p>\n But, by all accounts, he is the definition of a guy who makes other players want to skate through a wall. This is a Lightning team that has arguably become the gold standard in the NHL, and they could be forgiven for taking a night–or a series–off every now and again. At least that would be the case for most organiazations.<\/p>\n Not in Tampa Bay, though. Not with defenders like McDonagh still sticking up for his teammates, killing penalties and slugging anyone who decides to, say, hit his goalie with a snow shower during a pivotal Game 5.<\/p>\n
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