The Tampa Bay Lightning released defenseman Ryan McDonagh on Sunday by sending him to the Nashville Predators.
In return, the Florida formation gets its hands on defender Philippe Myers and striker Grant Mismash, confirmed Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois. The Stanley Cup finalists are mainly getting rid of McDonagh’s heavy contract, which counted for $6.75 million on the payroll, until the end of the 2025-2026 campaign.
Acquired from the New York Rangers during the 2017-2018 season, the former first-round pick (12th overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in 2007 has proven to be an integral part of the Lightning’s two Stanley Cup conquests.
“Ryan McDonagh is the ultimate team player and he will bring experience and leadership to our lineup,” general manager David Poile said in a statement. We mightn’t be more excited that he agreed to waive his no-trade clause to come to Nashville. Thanks to his versatility, he will immediately reinforce in our defensive brigade.
The 33-year-old McDonagh has 337 points in 783 National League games, having blacked the scoresheet 26 times in 71 games in 2021-22.
For his part, Myers began his professional career, following a stint with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, with the Philadelphia Flyers, where he played 115 games, spread over three seasons, in addition to amassing 29 points.
Last offseason, he was involved in a three-team trade that moved forward Nolan Patrick from the Flyers to the Vegas Golden Knights and defenseman Ryan Ellis from the Predators to the Flyers. Myers added four points in 27 games at Tennessee.
For his part, Mismash, a second-round pick (61st overall) of the “Preds” in 2017, has just concluded his first professional campaign in the American League, with the Milwaukee Admirals, following finishing his school career with the University of North Dakota. With the Admirals, he amassed 12 points in 57 games.
