Blackhawks Daily: Ryan McDonagh Back to Tampa; Generational Bedard

Normally, big trades don’t take place at this stage of the postseason. That has happened in the NHL though as the Nashville Predators made a splash with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ryan McDonagh is making his way back to his former Lightning squad along with a 2024 4th-round pick that originally belonged to the Edmonton Oilers.

Going back to Nashville is a 2nd-round pick in 2025 and a 7th-round pick in 2024. Tampa Bay gets a top-four defenseman back on a two-year contract. He is familiar with the organization as he won the Stanley Cup twice there and they now don’t have to overspend to get one.

As for the Predators, they are dealing with some cap issues. Letting McDonagh go with no retention on his contract is a great way for them to shed some money. They are also getting some good assets back in return. Both sides are getting what they want.

We will see if that is a springboard to more trades being made but we still have to crown a Stanley Cup Champion with two rounds left to go.

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