Fansided

Lightning: 3 players who won’t be back next season after Stanley Cup loss

By Eric Treuden

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Brandon Hagel #38, Ryan McDonagh #27, and Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning look toward the goal in the first period of Game Six of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Colorado Avalanche at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Brandon Hagel #38, Ryan McDonagh #27, and Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning look toward the goal in the first period of Game Six of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Colorado Avalanche at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
TORONTO, ON – MAY 4: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the Tampa Bay Lightning defends against the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 4, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Lightning defeated the Maple Leafs 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 4: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the Tampa Bay Lightning defends against the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 4, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Lightning defeated the Maple Leafs 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Lightning players who won’t be back: Ryan McDonagh

As the NHL rumor mill begins to become active, Ryan McDonagh, one of the Lightning’s leaders and most well-liked players, has reportedly been approached about the possibility of waiving his no-trade clause.

McDonagh, 33, has a full NTC and has four years left on his current contract with $6.75MM per year still owed to him. Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has been floating the idea of dealing McDonagh in an effort to free up some cap space for the Lightning.

Remarkably, McDonagh has never once missed the playoffs since debuting all the way back in 2011. His entire eight-year tenure with the New York Rangers saw him make the playoffs every season and the same has been said for his current five-year stint in Tampa.

While it’s not a sure thing McDonagh will be dealt, he will not be going to a rebuilding team if he is moved at all. A potential trade of his services would be a tough pill to swallow for fans and his teammates but if Tampa is re-signing Nick Paul to a huge extension and would like to bring Ondrej Palat, one of the few UFA’s on the team, McDonagh and his contract may have to be sacrificed.

Next. NHL Free Agency: 10 players to watch for above all else. dark

Home/Tampa Bay Lightning