Michael Stuart: Playoff Player Grades: Ryan McDonagh

McDonagh earned his cap-hit this season - no doubt about that. His play reminded me of Anton Stralman - just steady, reliable defense while being decently mobile. Blocking shots, cleaning up rebounds, and checking all of the boxes you want in a top-4 d-man.

No complaints from me thus far, other than too much term on his contract. Hopefully he keeps this up for a few years longer before he turns into a pylon.

McDonagh earned his cap-hit this season - no doubt about that. His play reminded me of Anton Stralman - just steady, reliable defense while being decently mobile. Blocking shots, cleaning up rebounds, and checking all of the boxes you want in a top-4 d-man.

No complaints from me thus far, other than too much term on his contract. Hopefully he keeps this up for a few years longer before he turns into a pylon.
- GalacticStone

I know Heddy was amazing and deserved all the talk, but Mcdonagh played his best hockey since he arrived in Tampa! He was fantastic

McDonagh earned his cap-hit this season - no doubt about that. His play reminded me of Anton Stralman - just steady, reliable defense while being decently mobile. Blocking shots, cleaning up rebounds, and checking all of the boxes you want in a top-4 d-man.

No complaints from me thus far, other than too much term on his contract. Hopefully he keeps this up for a few years longer before he turns into a pylon.
- GalacticStone

Here's a question. If Yzerman had been able to make the Karlsson trade, would Tampa have still won a Cup? Yzerman only traded for RMD after he couldn't get Karlsson. I don't think Tampa wins the Cup with Karlsson but we'll never know. I know they wouldn't have won the Cup without RMD.

Here's a question. If Yzerman had been able to make the Karlsson trade, would Tampa have still won a Cup? Yzerman only traded for RMD after he couldn't get Karlsson. I don't think Tampa wins the Cup with Karlsson but we'll never know. I know they wouldn't have won the Cup without RMD.
- gergeswillems

Karlsson would've turned into his pre Matt Cooke self and they would win 5 Cups in a row

Karlsson would've turned into his pre Matt Cooke self and they would win 5 Cups in a row
- 21peter

And the Bills would've won 4 consecutive Super Bowls had Scott Norwide not Ray Finkled the kick. Laces out Marino!

And the Bills would've won 4 consecutive Super Bowls had Scott Norwide not Ray Finkled the kick. Laces out Marino!


- gergeswillems

Here's a question. If Yzerman had been able to make the Karlsson trade, would Tampa have still won a Cup? Yzerman only traded for RMD after he couldn't get Karlsson. I don't think Tampa wins the Cup with Karlsson but we'll never know. I know they wouldn't have won the Cup without RMD.
- gergeswillems

Hard to say. Given how things actually turned out, I'll take RMD over Karlsson. If we think RMD has too much cap and term, just imagine how much Tampa would have overpaid for Karlsson. No thanks.

McDonagh earned his cap-hit this season - no doubt about that. His play reminded me of Anton Stralman - just steady, reliable defense while being decently mobile. Blocking shots, cleaning up rebounds, and checking all of the boxes you want in a top-4 d-man.

No complaints from me thus far, other than too much term on his contract. Hopefully he keeps this up for a few years longer before he turns into a pylon.
- GalacticStone

Forgot about Stralman. It’s sad we couldn’t win a cup while he was here, he was such a steady and good defenseman.

Forgot about Stralman. It’s sad we couldn’t win a cup while he was here, he was such a steady and good defenseman.
- jvar17

Stralman was the first reliable partner that Hedman ever had up until that point. Hedman had a revolving door of defensive partners that included the likes of Matt Carle. Stralman was like a breath of fresh air for Hedman and allowed him to open up his offensive game while Stralman was behind him to clean up any messes and/or eat minutes on the second pair if needed.

I kept following Stralman for a little while after he signed with the Panthers, but I've since lost track of how he's doing down there.