The Bruins' path to the Stanley Cup Final just got a bit tougher. The Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay Lightning reportedly pulled off a blockbuster deal for defenseman Ryan McDonagh just before Monday afternoon's trade deadline.
The Lightning also reportedly landed forward J.T. Miller in the deal while sending forward Vladislav Namestnikov, prospects Libor Hajek and Brett Howden, a first-round pick and conditional second-round pick to the New York Rangers in return.
McDonagh gives the Lightning essentially a third top-pairing defenseman behind Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman, and he could very well reuinte with former D partner Dan Girardi on their second pairing.
Miller for Namestnikov looks like a fairly even swap on paper, as Miller has 13 goals and 27 assists in 63 games this season, compared to 20 goals and 24 assists in 62 games for Namestnikov.
McDonagh wound up being the biggest name to get moved at the deadline, as the Senators ended up holding onto Erik Karlsson (for now).
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