Tampa Bay Lightning: Ryan McDonagh Agrees to Seven-Year Extension
After trading for Ryan McDonagh at the trade deadline, the defenseman has agreed to a seven-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed recent acquisition Ryan McDonagh to a seven-year contract extension. The defenseman was acquired at the deadline along with J.T. Miller. Miller just got a recent extension as well.
This trade was for Vladislav Namestnikov, Labor Hajek, Brett Howden, the Lightning’s 2018 first, and a conditional 2019 pick (if they win the Cup in 2019, it’s a first, if not, a second).
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The terms of the new deal are seven years, at an average annual value of $6.75 million. With contracts for Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point coming up, in addition to Yanni Gourde, and later Mikhail Sergachev, this contract is a smart move to control cost and lock up more of the Lightning’s core.
This move may also take the Lightning out of the John Tavares running, as they still need money to pay the players mentioned. Still, the Lightning are able to secure a better future on the blue line. With McDonagh still just 29, this deal will take him to retirement age. McDonagh also has a year left on his initial $4.7 million AAV deal, meaning he’s likely in Tampa for the next eight years.
McDonagh has averaged .45 points per game in his career, and last season had 3 points (including two goals) in 14 regular season games and five assists in 17 postseason games with Tampa Bay. He’s also been a phenomenal defenseman, allowing just 10 goals in those 14 games (and being on the ice for 11 for Tampa). McDonagh also penalty kills for Tampa Bay, getting 41 minutes in 14 games, and helps improve that area for the Lightning.
Overall, this feels like a good, safe deal for the Lightning. McDonagh will likely live up to those costs for Tampa Bay, especially with his scoring production coming largely at even strength for the Tampa Bay Lightning.