Nashville, TN (July 3, 2022) – Nashville Predators president of hockey operations and general manager David Poile announced today that the team has acquired defenseman Ryan McDonagh from the Tampa Bay Lightning for forward Grant Mismash and the defender Philip Myers.

“Ryan McDonagh is the ultimate team player who will bring experience and leadership to our roster,” Poile said. “Former New York Rangers captain, two-time Stanley Cup winner and four-time Stanley Cup finalist, we couldn’t be more thrilled that he’s waived his no-move clause to come to Nashville. With the ability to play in any situation, it immediately strengthens our defensive body.”

McDonagh, 33 (6/13/89), is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time NHL All-Star and former NHL captain who just completed his third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in as a member of the Lightning in 2021-22. He had four goals and 26 points in 71 regular season games for Tampa Bay; his 137 blocked shots were the most among Lightning skaters and his +15 rating and 22:27 average time on the ice were both third among team defensemen. In the playoffs, he recorded five points (1g-4a) and averaged 22:26 of ice time—the Lightning’s second-best mark—in 23 games, helping Tampa Bay win three playoff series. McDonagh added one assist, 19 blocked shots and 17 hits and recorded 22:58 of ice time in his fourth career Stanley Cup Final appearance.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound McDonagh is a 12-year, 783-game veteran at the NHL level and won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2019-20 and 2020-21. After being acquired from the New York Rangers in the 2017-18 campaign, he went on to register 99 points (20g-79a) in 267 games for Tampa Bay, including a career-high 46 points (9g-37a) in 2018 -19. . McDonagh began his NHL career with the Rangers in 2011 and spent eight seasons with the organization, serving as team captain for parts of four campaigns from 2014 to 2018. He became the fourth-youngest captain in the Rangers history and, during his tenure with the ‘C’, helped lead New York to the Presidents’ Trophy in 2014-15 and three overall playoff appearances. McDonagh had 238 points (51g-187a) in 516 games with the Rangers organization, earning an NHL All-Star Game nod twice (2015-16 and 2016-17).

McDonagh brings extensive playoff experience to the Predators organization, having appeared in 185 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, 30 more than the second-closest NHL player in that span. In addition to his two Stanley Cups and three appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Lightning, he also reached the Finals in 2014 with the Rangers. During that Cup Final, McDonagh led all NHL defensemen in assists with 13; he also led the NHL in plus-minus in the 2021 playoffs with +18 odds. McDonagh has made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his 12 NHL seasons.

Originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round (12th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, McDonagh played three seasons at the University of Wisconsin before turning pro, posting 46 points (14g-32a) in 119 games with the Badgers from 2007. -10. He earned several honors at Wisconsin, including a 2010 WCHA Second Team All-Star berth after helping lead the Badgers to that season’s Frozen Four.

A native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, McDonagh was named his “Mr. Hockey’ as the state’s top high school player in 2006-07; he also represented USA Hockey for the first time that season, winning silver at the 2007 World U-18 Championship. He has since competed for the United States on several occasions, including the 2009 World Junior Championship; 2011 World Championship; 2014 Olympic Games; and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.