The real reason Ryan McDonagh was dealt back to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and it has nothing to do with Mitch Marner, has been disclosed by a source.
In the intermission between the Stanley Cup playoff rounds earlier today, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Nashville Predators announced a transaction involving a well-known player for Lightning supporters. Returning to the lightning in exchange for draft picks is Ryan McDonagh. Nevertheless, Predators beat reporter Alex Daugherty claims that this was done to make room for All-Star forward Mitch Marner, whose attributes have been the subject of conjecture since before the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs. Look at that; it was not at all the case.
Ryan McDonagh was traded, according to Daugherty, to fulfill a request that the player had made earlier in the season, not because of cap space. Following their own elimination by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round, the predators made the decision to search for a landing site that would accommodate McDonagh and his family.
After being moved from the Tampa Bay Lightning, McDonagh played two seasons in Nashville and, based on stories, didn't believe he would return to Tampa Bay until it actually happened.
Regardless of your thoughts on the deal, the Nashville Predators management made a noble step by granting one of their veterans' wishes, especially since he is going back to the location where he helped the team win two Stanley Cups.
