Earlier this week, the Nashville Predators traded Ryan McDonagh to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and although initially it looked like they were shipping him out to facilitate a big move later this summer, it has been revealed that the 34-yyear-old St. Paul, Minnesota, native had requested that the Predators move him if at all possible.
According to reports, during year-end exit meetings, McDonagh spoke with Nashville GM Barry Trotz, and through the discussion, the topic of being moved back to Tampa was broached. Trotz, who has nothing but kind words to say about the defenseman and his time with the Predators, did his best to honour his wishes, and it worked out for both teams.
Sometimes it is important to remember that, although nobody is bigger than the game, when you're a good person and do right by people, you get rewarded, and that's what happened in this case between Trotz and McDonagh.
By all accounts, it seems that although Trotz believes it will be very difficult to replace a guy like his former defensemans character, doing right by the player was the appropriate thing to do.
