Lightning Star Defender Can Hit Big Milestone
This Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman can hit a significant career milestone this upcoming season.
© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images - Lightning Star Defender Can Hit Big MilestoneEarlier this offseason, the Tampa Bay Lightning brought back Ryan McDonagh from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick. With this move, McDonagh is anticipated to once again be a significant part of the Lightning's top four.
McDonagh, 35, also has the potential to hit a significant milestone in his first season back in Tampa Bay. If the St. Paul, Minnesota native stays mostly healthy in 2024-25 and plays in 72 games, he will hit the 1,000-game mark of his career.
The potential of McDonagh dressing for 72 games is certainly there. McDonagh appeared in 71 games in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons and 74 contests this past season. Thus, for the most part, he has done a solid job staying healthy in recent years.
Once McDonagh reaches the 1,000-game mark, it will only make his already-strong NHL resume even better. In 928 career games split between the New York Rangers, Lightning, and Predators, McDonagh has 76 goals, 313 assists, 389 points, 1,057 hits, and a plus-246 rating. In addition, he is a former NHL captain, two-time All-Star, and two-time Stanley Cup champion. It has simply been a great career for the 2007 first-round pick.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if McDonagh can stay healthy and play in his 1,000th game this upcoming season from here.