This Atlantic Division club has improved its roster.
This Atlantic Division club has improved its roster.
Over the last decade, the Tampa Bay Lightning have emerged as one of the Boston Bruins' biggest rivals. They have consistently been close in the NHL standings and have had multiple playoff battles.
Unfortunately for the Bruins, the Lightning have made a big move that has significantly improved their blueline.
The Lightning have acquired defenseman Ryan McDonagh and the Edmonton Oilers' 2024 fourth-round pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick.
McDonagh, 34, is an impactful top-four defenseman who is incredibly dependable. The Lightning certainly know this well, as he was a significant part of their roster from 2017-18 to 2021-22. In addition, he helped them win two Stanley Cups during his first tenure with the club.
With this move, the Lightning's defense has greatly improved, as McDonagh's ability to shut down opponents is still very strong at this juncture of his career. Because of this, the Lightning are already looking like a more dangerous team heading into the 2024-25 campaign. This is far from ideal news for the Bruins.
McDonagh appeared in 74 games this season with the Predators, where he had three goals, 32 points, and a plus-19 rating.
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