Obviously Nashville had a chance to dump the cap hit they’re gonna have for Duchene’s buyout this summer, and got a 2nd doing it, but that’s a big hole in their lineup now.
He’s a great add for Tampa but not exactly the move you make heading into the off-season, as it really ties their hands. Especially at his age.
Now if they add anything significant July 1, or Stamkos, they won’t be getting much of anything in return for their cap dumps, as everyone knows they’re just dumping salary. There now in no position to be paying anyone cap dump picks either.
Not a position to be in, when you have little in your prospect pool, and even fewer high draft picks anytime soon.
Could Tampa move Cernak or Sergachev? Sure, but kind of defeats the purpose of getting McDonagh. Unless it’s a deal for a legit forward like a Konecny.. Then it would make some sense, but they’re still getting older and less valuable on their blue line, just to add that forward.
So not sure there’s much to read into this deal, other than they knew they were losing Stamkos, and the best bet at that point is to bear down on the backend, and they were able to add a Top 4 dman for a 2nd Round pick.
Hell, they probably can’t even get a 5th for Stamkos negotiation rights, as he’d have to approve the trade, and is only doing so with the team he’s planning to go to. Doubt he’s gonna be nudged into going anywhere.