NHL Trade Deadline: Lightning Acquire Ryan McDonagh From Rangers In One Of Many Last-Minute Swaps

Monday was the NHL trade deadline, and there were 16 trades completed that day, including 31 players with a combined salary of $30.8 million exchanging teams, and draft picks being swapped.

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One of Monday’s biggest deals was that between the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning: Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh was sent to Tampa Bay in exchange for Libor Hájek, Brett Howden, Vladislav Namestnikov, a first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, and a conditional second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The Lightning also acquired J.T. Miller as part of the deal.

Tampa Bay seems to have won in this case, as the team managed to acquire two top players without having to lose Mikhail Sergachev or Brayden Point. The trade deadline was at 3 pm EST on Monday, and this swap reportedly happened quite literally at nearly the last minute:

McDonagh, a defenseman, has been beset by multiple injuries in recent years, including a concussion and a broken foot.

The Rangers — who have been struggling this season at 27-30-6 for last in the Metropolitan Division — did make some trades last week, however, that seemed rather beneficial for them. As par of their big roster-clearing amid an organization restructuring, the BlueShirts sent three other players to other teams: Rick Nash and Nick Holden, who will both be joining the Boston Bruins, and Michael Grabner, who will be moving just across the Hudson to play with the New Jersey Devils.

In return the Rangers got 25-year-old Russian center Vladislav Namestnikov—who has already accumulated 123 points in 263 NHL games—from Tampa Bay and 26-year-old Canadian center Ryan Spooner—who has 144 points in 244 games—from the Bruins.

The conditional second-round 2019 draft pick the Rangers acquired in the deal could become a first should the team win the Stanley Cup.

The Rangers trades weren’t the only surprise involving a New York sports team this week, however.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson attended spring training with the Yankees on Monday and reportedly hit six home runs in his first-ever major MLB batting practice. Wilson described the day as a dream come true.

TAMPA, FL – MAY 20: Ryan McDonagh #27 of the New York Rangers shoves Valtteri Filppula #51 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 20, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)