Lightning Key Defender Is Prime Extension Candidate

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been busy this summer. They notably re-signed forwards Yanni Gourde and Gage Goncalves to new contracts. They also added to their roster in free agency by signing Pontus Holmberg, Jakob Pelletier, and Boris Katchouk.

Overall, while the Lightning have made some mvoes this off-season, it is fair to wonder if they might not be done yet. When looking at their roster, one player stands out as a prime contract extension candidate - defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

McDonagh is entering the final season of his contract in 2025-26 and can become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next summer. Yet, when noting how important he is to the Lightning's blueline, it would be entirely understandable if they looked to extend him as soon as possible.

Bringing back McDonagh this past off-season proved to be a fantastic decision by the Lightning, as the left-shot defenseman thrived in 2024-25. In 82 games with the Lightning this past season, he recorded four goals, 27 assists, 31 points, and an NHL-best plus-43 rating. With this, he undoubtedly provided the Lightning with strong defensive play and some offense to go along with it.

With how strong of a piece McDonagh is to the Lightning's roster, they would be wise to get him signed to an extension. It will be fascinating to see if they do just that from here.

Mock Extension Offer: Ryan McDonagh x Tampa Bay Lightning

After a dominant season anchoring the blue line, veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh deserves more than just praise—he deserves a new deal. Here's what a potential extension could look like:

Proposed Contract:

Term: 3 years
AAV: $4.5 million
Total Value: $13.5 million
No-Move Clause: Full for Year 1, Modified for Years 2–3

Why It Makes Sense:

NHL-best +43 rating in 2024–25
Leadership in the locker room and on the ice
Seamless fit in Tampa’s defensive system
Still playing top-pair minutes at age 36

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