Lightning acquire D Ryan McDonagh from Predators

The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired defenseman Ryan McDonagh and a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft from the Nashville Predators on Tuesday for a seventh-round selection in 2024 and a second-round pick in 2025.

The trade represents a return to Tampa Bay for McDonagh, who spent parts of five seasons with the Lightning before being traded to the Predators on July 3, 2022, in exchange for defenseman Philippe Myers and forward Grant Mismash.

Nashville now has nine picks in next month's draft.

McDonagh, 34, recorded 32 points (three goals, 29 assists) and a team-best plus-19 rating in 74 games this season with the Predators.

"We want to thank Ryan for all he meant to the Predators organization over the past two seasons, including serving as an alternate captain," Nashville general manager Barry Trotz said. "His renowned leadership qualities and dedication to doing whatever it takes to win made an immediate impact on our team both on and off the ice. We wish Ryan and his family all the best as they return to the Lightning organization.

"At the same time, this trade adds to our already deep corps of draft picks over the next two NHL drafts and allows us to continue to make tweaks and improvements to our team during the offseason. We want to make decisions that help us build on the success we had in the 2023-24 season by giving us as many weapons as we can get, whether it's younger players on our roster, more impactful draft choices or salary cap flexibility."

A two-time Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay, McDonagh has 389 points (76 goals, 313 assists) and a plus-246 rating in 928 career games with the New York Rangers, Lightning and Predators.

McDonagh was selected by the Montreal Canadiens with the 12th overall pick of the 2007 NHL Draft before being traded to the Rangers on June 30, 2009, as part of a six-player deal that sent Scott Gomez to Montreal.

--Field Level Media