Could a reunion be in order for defenseman Ryan McDonagh and the New York Rangers? After his recent return to the Tampa Bay Lightning from the Nashville Predators it appears he may be on the move again, as the Lightning seek to gain some flexibility with their cap space.
According to Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos it appears that the Tampa Bay Lightning could be motivated sellers when it comes to veteran Ryan McDonagh.
The team recently reacquired him from the Nashville Predators nearly a year ago in return for two draft picks (a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft).
Now, with only $1.18 million in available cap space, the team will have to shed salary, and McDonagh could $6.75 million to the team's coffers.
This is sudden news, considering how well McDonagh added to the quality of the Lightning's defense.
For a Rangers blue line that has seen better days, this could be GM Chris Drury's sign to pounce, giving the team a chance to reunite with their former Captain.
While reunions are far and few between, bringing JT Miller back turned out to be quite the choice, and the team has benefited from it.
McDonagh could stabilize the blue line on a team he once played for in 2017-18.
He only has one year left on his $6.75 million deal, making him essentially a rental if he doesn't agree to a team-friendly extension or decides to explore free agency later.
As it stands now, the team only has $777K in available cap space, so the team would have to trade a contract in return for McDonagh or involve a third team in the deal to make it work.
Last season, McDonagh played all 82 games for the Lightning and scored 31 points (4-27) and played on the second-pairing with veteran Erik Cernak.
Is a reunion in order?
