The Tampa Bay Lightning are on a roll, to say the least. After a lackluster start to the season, the Bolts have won seven in a row. They went from the Atlantic Division cellar to the top and have opened up a four-point lead on the Boston Bruins.
A great deal of that successful run is due to veteran blueliner Ryan McDonagh. At 36, he’s been a steady, reliable presence, particularly in Victor Hedman’s absence. That’s why the impending UFA defenseman is likely not going anywhere next summer.
According to insider Elliotte Friedman, it’s highly unlikely that McDonagh and the Lightning part ways. During the December 1 edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Friedman expounded on the likelihood of McDonagh jumping ship.
Friedman stated:
“Ryan McDonagh is 36. I will say this: I would not be surprised at all if Ryan McDonagh is extending in Tampa Bay. I think he wanted to go back there after Nashville. I’ve heard he wants to play. And to me, I would not be surprised at all if he ends up staying there.”
The veteran blueliner is in the final year of a seven-year, $47.25 million deal originally signed with the Lightning back in 2019. However, the Bolts traded McDonagh away amid cap woes. Tampa sent him to the Nashville Predators, but then reacquired him last season.
McDonagh Offers Lightning Stability and Leadership
The Tampa Bay Lightning still have an elite core. Captain Victor Hedman remains among the NHL’s top defenseman. Nikita Kucherov is the reigning Art Ross Trophy winner. Meanwhile, Andrei Vasilevskiy looks to have regained the Vezina Trophy form.
That core, plus pieces like Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, and Jake Guentzel, make the Lightning one of the best teams in the NHL. That’s why adding someone like McDonagh rounds out the puzzle.
It’s worth mentioning that McDonagh was a key piece in the Lightning’s three-straight Stanley Cup Finals appearances. The Bolts won back-to-back championships before bowing out to the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
That situation makes McDonagh a highly valuable piece to the team. There’s no question that, as long as he remains healthy and productive, the Bolts will want to have McDonagh on their club.
Bolts Likely Getting McDonagh on Team-Friendly Deal
The biggest question would be what sort of deal McDonagh and the Lightning can agree on. It’s highly unlikely the two sides will agree on another seven-year deal. It’s also unlikely he’ll sign for $6.75 million again.
But there might be a sweet spot somewhere in between. It wouldn’t be a stretch to consider McDonagh signing a three or even four-year deal for about $4 to $5 million AAV. With the cap rising, the Lightning may be able to give McDonagh a better-than-expected deal.
Then again, the compromise may be a longer-term deal for a lower cap hit. It would be a happy medium as the Bolts look to keep costs manageable, while McDonagh ensures he stays put.
There is no indication that a deal may be imminent. It wouldn’t even be surprising if the deal gets done in the offseason. In the meantime, McDonagh and the Bolts will look to make a strong playoff run this season after a string of first-round exits.
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