The Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators have completed a trade. Tampa Bay gives up 33-year-old defenseman Ryan McDonagh, a solid piece from their back-to-back cups. Nashville gives up 25-year-old D Philippe Myers and 23-year-old F Grant Mismash. This news was first reported by the official TBL Twitter account.
What this means for Nashville
Nashville had a solid year in 2022, although they got swept in the first round by Colorado. They played the whole series without All-Star goalie Jusse Saros. McDonagh comes into Nashville off a 26-point season. He’s not known for offense, however. He blocked a total of 137 shots in 2022, including one that mangled his finger in the SCF. Ryan also had 96 hits. He comes into Nashville helping out a solid defensive core, and he will probably get top 4 minutes with either Ekholm or Josi. Ryan McDonagh will surely be a solid piece for the Preds, joining the long list of good D-men in their history.
What this means for Tampa
Tampa received Grant Mismash and Philippe Myers on their end of the trade. Myers, a 25-year-old defenseman, finished 2022 with 27 GP and 5 points. That’s not good, but he was out for a majority of the season with a fractured rib. Grant Mismash comes into Tampa off a 12-point season, in 57 games with Milwaukee (AHL). However, he is only 23 years old and can play a solid role in Tampa if given the chance. I think that both of these guys can be considered placeholders for the time being. Nevertheless, Tampa finally found a team willing to do business for McDonagh. I believe that Tampa got 2 guys that can do a solid enough job for a cheap enough price. Furthermore, TB mainly did this so that they could free up McDonagh’s fat 6.75 AAV contract. I think this will eventually lead to them resigning Ondrej Palat.
Generally speaking, I think both teams won the trade. Tampa freed up McDonagh’s contract, which was their main goal. Nashville got a solid defenseman who will help them win now. In the meantime, McDonagh will be a solid piece in Nashville. He is 33 and under that contract for 4 more years, however.
