Bolts leadership reportedly on the verge of making a bold decision with a 2x Stanley Cup Champion

With free agency well under way, the spotlight is once again on the Tampa Bay Lightning as word is getting out that Jon Cooper could be looking to make a statement with a very bold move to the blue line.

NHL Trade Rumors insider Nick Kypreos reported that the Jon Cooper could be looking to trade 2x Stanley Cup Champion and $74 million veteran defenseman, Ryan McDonagh. And this wouldn’t be the first time the Lightning have parted ways with McDonagh either.

The 36-year old spent the first eight seasons of his career with the New York Rangers before being traded to the Lightning in February 2018. He spent the next five seasons with Tampa Bay until they traded him to the Nashville Predators in 2022, only to bring him back to the sunshine state last season, reacquiring him from Nashville for a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL draft and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

In his 2023 season with Nashville he scored just three goals, recorded 29 assists, and 32 points, with a +19 on the season.

In his first season back with the Lightning last year, he scored four goals in 82 games, recorded 27 assists, 31 points, and was +43 on the season (which led all of Lightning players), a much bigger improvement from 2023.

McDonagh has made a big impact on the ice for Tampa Bay, including helping the team win the Stanley Cup in 2020. But he is entering into the final season of his $47.25 million extension and the Lightning appear to be second-guessing whether or not they want to keep the veteran or trade him away for the second time. He is a player who many teams would value with the consistent numbers who puts up throughout the season and for being a strong defenseman.

If the Lightning traded the lefty from St. Paul Minnesota, it would open up salary space. But the question is, is it worth it to move on from a veteran who showed signs of still being able to skate well and make an impact?

Should McDonagh get traded (again), it would be the third time since 2022 that he’s been sent packing.