With Ryan McDonagh's name floating around, at least one team has emerged with serious interest
PUBLICATION
Mitchell
July 1, 2022 (7:56 PM)
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.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
|
1 hour ago | By TJ Tucker Insider Shares Harsh Reality that May Prevent Leafs from Landing Stanley Cup Winner |
|
2 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry Morgan Rielly Opens Up About His On-Ice Struggles as Hellish Season Continues |
|
5 hours ago | By Nick Matthews Maple Leafs Showing Signs of Frustration as Winger Snaps on NHL Official |
|
9 hours ago | By Mike Armenti TSN's Darren Dreger Confirms Exciting News About Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews |
|
10 hours ago | By TJ Tucker Craig Berube and the Maple Leafs Making a Strong Case for Chris Tanev to Make Team Canada |
|
11 hours ago | By TJ Tucker Former NHLer and Member of the Toronto Maple Leafs Family Tragically Passes Away |
|
12 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram Insider Confirms Leafs' Interest in Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Brandon Saad |
|
14 hours ago | By Nick Matthews Craig Berube Singles Out One Young Maple Leaf Who Has Been Particularly Underwhelming |