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Ryan McDonagh asked Barry Trotz to trade him

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated 5/21/24

NHL news of the day: the Ryan McDonagh trade. It’s pretty rare to see a deal of this magnitude when teams are still in playoff action.

Both teams stand to benefit from such a transaction. On the one hand, it’s a return to Tampa Bay for the former Canadiens prospect, and on the Nashville side, the club frees up $6.75 million on the payroll. Matt Duchene’s contract buyout will hurt the Preds in 2024-2025.

Despite the McDonagh acquisition, Julien BriseBois confirmed that the Stamkos and defenseman files are not linked.

And Pierre LeBrun has just reported another very interesting piece of information.

Speaking to Hockey 360, the informant confirmed that the left-hander had asked his GM Barry Trotz to trade him.

McDonagh wanted out of Nashvillehttps://t.co/4sso3rmQls

– Hockey 360 (@hockey360) May 21, 2024

So he wasn’t the happiest in the country town, and in order to join his former teammates in Tampa, he had to lift his no-trade clause.

LeBrun also revealed that the Lightning didn’t necessarily want to handcuff themselves to a long-term contract, via the free agent market. Several defensemen such as Noah Hanifin, who was in the team’s sights last March, Brandon Tanev and Brady Skjei are free agents, but long-term contracts were not in the plans of BriseBois.

The arrival of a well-known defenseman makes sense.

McDonagh has a big salary, yes, but it’s only for two years.

Now that the Lightning have their top-4 defenseman, will we see them among the league’s best like they were a few years ago? One thing’s for sure: with Steven Stamkos set to become a UFA in just over a month’s time, there’s still a lot of personnel movement going on in Florida.

I can’t wait to see how the Quebec GM works his magic.

In brief

– Juraj Slafkovsky has had enough of Prague.

Slovak team needs to refocus after 1:6 loss to Sweden and there’s more than one way how to say it.

Craig Ramsay’s way: “I never look to the past or too far to the future. I look only to the next game.”

Juraj Slafkovský’s way: “Let’s go to Prague. I’ve had enough of Ostrava.”

– Štefan Bugan (@StefanBugan) May 21, 2024

– Lots of empty benches, too.

“It was shameful as game number seven,” laments @MA_PerreaultTVA about the #Canucks… https://t. co/GsXpVTBsPf

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 21, 2024

– Derrick White supports the LPHF.

Derrick White pulling up to his game in a @PWHL_Boston jersey

(: @NBCSCeltics) pic.twitter.com/6YU5fAhU6G

– TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 21, 2024

– Oh well.

Cincinnati Bengals | A 120 million investment planned to improve Paycor Stadium https://t.co/19YTkbPr6m

– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) May 21, 2024

– Coming up.