With Ryan McDonagh's name floating around, at least one team has emerged with serious interest
The St. Louis Blues had a decent season, finishing third in their division with a 49-22-11 record. They went to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs where they lost to the eventual champs, the Colorado Avalanche. Had they had one additional piece, a top-4 defenseman with some grit perhaps, maybe the series goes 7 and we could be looking at a very different outcome, but it didn't and we aren't.
Per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Blues could be looking to acquire that piece this summer, and according to Friedge, they're looking at Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner Ryan McDonagh. The left shot defender would definitely add some leadership and physicality to the Blues. The fact that he brings a pair of Stanley Cup rings with him doesn't hurt either.
Ryan McDonagh, 33, put up 4 goals and 22 assists for 26 points in 71 games this season. He also put up 5 points in 23 playoff games. Those numbers aren't eye popping, but McDonagh was never built to be a big time point producer. His 6-foot-1, 215lb frame is usually put to work playing in the dirty areas and killing opposing plays. It should also be noted that McDonagh is an alternate captain for Tampa and has been a captain for the New York Rangers. Leadership qualities are never a bad thing.
A package for McDonagh and his $6.75 million dollar cap hit might not be massive, given the fact that he's 33 years of age, but with what he brings to the table, I'd imagine he'll still bring in a decent return. The Lightning need to move a contract or two for salary cap reasons and although McDonagh has trade protection, he could waive under the right circumstances. Lord knows the Blues could use a defenseman like McDonagh, as could a couple dozen other teams. He'll draw plenty of interest, though he'll ultimately control where he goes. With the Blues being a playoff team and having won a Cup in recent years, it stands to reason that McDonagh may not be opposed to going tp St. Louis.
