PuckSleuth
27Cap hit
$4.1M
3.9% of $104M cap
Term
3 yrs
Through 2028-29, then UFA
Clause
None
Surplus value
+$1.504M
vs. $5.604M market estimate
Confirmed by the public signing announcement · source
2026-27 regular season
GP
1
Goals
0
0.0% shooting
Assists
0
0 primary
Points
0
0.00 per game
TOI/GP
15:46
PP 0:00 · PK 1:52
xGF%
69.3
5v5, +14.7 vs. last yr
Game Score
+0.07
per game
Faceoff %
—
Plus/minus
-1
Blocks 1 · Hits 1
Game log
Last 5 games · NHL API
| Game | G | A | SOG | HIT | BLK | TOI | PP | PK | FO | OZS% | GV | TK | +/- | GS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1 @ NYR · L 5-1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15:46 | 0:00 | 1:52 | — | 50 | 1 | 1 | -1 | +0.07 |
| May 3 vs MTL · L 2-1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 16:17 | 0:00 | 2:29 | — | 50 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +0.25 |
| May 1 @ MTL · W 1-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 21:52 | 0:00 | 3:14 | — | 67 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +0.15 |
| Apr 29 vs MTL · L 3-2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 16:23 | 0:03 | 0:00 | — | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -0.01 |
| Apr 26 @ MTL · W 3-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 20:22 | 0:04 | 6:29 | — | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +0.36 |
GS = our Game Score (credit for everything he did; goals and assists count most). FO = faceoffs won-lost. OZS% = share of his 5v5 offensive and defensive zone faceoff starts that were in the offensive zone. GV/TK = giveaways/takeaways.
Advanced metrics
5v5 unless noted · 2025-26 · 725 min · percentile vs. NHL defensemen
84th percentile
63rd percentile
90th percentile
61st percentile
20th percentile
70th percentile
76th percentile
45th percentile
70th percentile
65th percentile
89th percentile
92nd percentile
81st percentile
31st percentile
xGF% is his team's share of 5v5 expected goals while he was on the ice, from our own expected goals model; HDCF% counts only high-danger chances (xG of 0.15 or more). IPP is the share of his team's 5v5 goals while he was on the ice that he scored or assisted on. Relative stats compare him with his team when he was off the ice. Goals above expected and ixG/60 use his own shots at all strengths. PDO and OZS% describe luck and deployment, so their bars are grey.
Play styleOffensive puck-moving defenseman
Trait percentiles vs. NHL defensemen · 2025-26
McDonagh drives play through crisp passing and intelligent positioning rather than shooting volume or pure speed. He controls possession effectively, generates decent rush chances, and impacts the game positively despite limited physicality and shot volume.
- Shooting volume
- 25
- Playmaking
- 86
- Zone entries(est.)
- 59
- Forechecking
- 63
- Physicality
- 39
- Defensive impact
- 67
- Puck management
- 59
- Speed
- 30
Where he shoots from
Slot 9% · Mid-range 30% · Perimeter 61%(70 unblocked shots)
Strengths
- Playmaking at 86th percentile sets up consistent scoring chances for teammates
- Defensive impact at 67th percentile shows strong awareness and positioning in own zone
- Puck management at 59th percentile keeps possession flowing smoothly in transition
Watch-outs
- Shooting volume at 25th percentile limits his direct offensive output from the point
- Speed at 30th percentile means he relies on positioning over athleticism to defend
- Physicality at 39th percentile shows he plays a non-contact style in his matchups
Similar style: Emil Andrae (CBJ), Ryan Ufko
Built from play-by-play, shift data, and NHL EDGE tracking. Zone entries is an estimate (rush chances while he is on the ice) until tracking data is added.
Where his Game Score comes from
2025-26 · 48 GP
Season total +22.5, or +0.47 per game.
- Scoring
- +15.3
- Shooting
- +2.9
- 5-on-5 goals
- +0.9
- Defense
- +0.7
- Penalty kill
- -0.2
- Physical play
- +4.2
- Puck battles
- -1.6
- Penalties
- +0.4
Game Score gives credit for everything a player does in a game. Goals (1.0) and assists (0.7 primary, 0.5 secondary) count most; shots, blocks, hits, takeaways, penalties drawn, faceoff wins, killing penalties, and holding down the other team's chances add to it. Only mistakes subtract: goals against at 5-on-5, giveaways, penalties taken, faceoff losses, and allowing more chances than an average player would. A player who is there to defend or kill penalties is not marked down for not scoring. Goalies are measured by goals saved above expected.
Career stats
From the NHL's player records
| Season | League | Team | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | High-MN | Cretin-Derham | 28 | 12 | 18 | 30 | — | — |
| 2005-06 | High-MN | Cretin-Derham | 25 | 12 | 33 | 45 | — | — |
| 2006-07 | High-MN | Cretin-Derham | 26 | 14 | 26 | 40 | — | — |
| 2006-07 | WJ18-A | USA | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | — | 4 |
| 2007-08 | WCHA | U. Of Wisconsin | 40 | 5 | 7 | 12 | — | 42 |
| 2008-09 | WCHA | U. Of Wisconsin | 36 | 5 | 11 | 16 | — | 59 |
| 2008-09 | WJC-A | USA | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | — | 2 |
| 2009-10 | WCHA | U. Of Wisconsin | 43 | 4 | 14 | 18 | — | 73 |
| 2010-11 | NHL | New York Rangers | 40 | 1 | 8 | 9 | +16 | 14 |
| 2010-11 | WC-A | USA | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010-11 | AHL | Connecticut | 38 | 1 | 7 | 8 | +1 | 12 |
| 2010-11 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Rangers | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2011-12 | NHL | New York Rangers | 82 | 7 | 25 | 32 | +25 | 44 |
| 2011-12 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Rangers | 20 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +2 | 11 |
| 2012-13 | NHL | New York Rangers | 47 | 4 | 15 | 19 | +13 | 22 |
| 2012-13 | KHL | Astana | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | — | 6 |
| 2012-13 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Rangers | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | +1 | 6 |
| 2013-14 | NHL | New York Rangers | 77 | 14 | 29 | 43 | +11 | 36 |
| 2013-14 | Olympics | USA | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +1 | 0 |
| 2013-14 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Rangers | 25 | 4 | 13 | 17 | -1 | 8 |
| 2014-15 | NHL | New York Rangers | 71 | 8 | 25 | 33 | +23 | 26 |
| 2014-15 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Rangers | 19 | 3 | 6 | 9 | +2 | 8 |
| 2015-16 | NHL | New York Rangers | 73 | 9 | 25 | 34 | +26 | 22 |
| 2015-16 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Rangers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | NHL | New York Rangers | 77 | 6 | 36 | 42 | +20 | 37 |
| 2016-17 | WCup | USA | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 2016-17 (playoffs) | NHL | New York Rangers | 12 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 12 |
| 2017-18 | NHL | New York Rangers | 49 | 2 | 24 | 26 | +7 | 20 |
| 2017-18 | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 14 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +1 | 0 |
| 2017-18 (playoffs) | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 17 | 0 | 5 | 5 | +2 | 6 |
| 2018-19 | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 9 | 37 | 46 | +38 | 34 |
| 2018-19 (playoffs) | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -6 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 50 | 1 | 11 | 12 | +7 | 19 |
| 2019-20 (playoffs) | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 22 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 10 |
| 2020-21 | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 50 | 4 | 8 | 12 | +13 | 14 |
| 2020-21 (playoffs) | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 23 | 0 | 8 | 8 | +18 | 14 |
| 2021-22 | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 71 | 4 | 22 | 26 | +15 | 16 |
| 2021-22 (playoffs) | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 23 | 1 | 4 | 5 | +1 | 14 |
| 2022-23 | NHL | Nashville Predators | 71 | 2 | 18 | 20 | +12 | 22 |
| 2023-24 | NHL | Nashville Predators | 74 | 3 | 29 | 32 | +19 | 31 |
| 2023-24 (playoffs) | NHL | Nashville Predators | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 6 |
| 2024-25 | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 82 | 4 | 27 | 31 | +43 | 22 |
| 2024-25 (playoffs) | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | +2 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 48 | 6 | 15 | 21 | +14 | 6 |
| 2025-26 (playoffs) | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
| 2026-27 | NHL | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 2 |
Every league he has played in, from the NHL's records, regular season and playoffs.
Usage
Last game: @ NYR, Oct 1
Pair 1 with Erik Cernak (11:21 together at 5-on-5)
From the NHL's shift chart.
Latest news
Headlines from news outlets and team blogs
No news about him in the last 30 days.
Sentiment & chatter
Fans
—
Beat writers
—
Media
—
Fan, beat writer, and media scores, the 14-day trade chatter chart, and the latest mentions appear once sentiment scoring is switched on. Mentions are already being collected.
Recent Game Scores
Last 10 games · goals above average
Average +0.40 per game over these 10.
Skating · NHL EDGE
2025-26, as of Oct 2
- Top speed
- 21.1 mph
- 27th pct
- 20+ mph bursts
- 17
- Hardest shot
- 88.6 mph
- 40th pct
- Distance
- 124.0 mi
- OZ time
- 39.9%
- 24th pct
- DZ time
- 42.1%
Age curve
NHL defensemen · production index
At 37, defensemen typically produce 59% of their peak (age 24).
From 24 seasons of NHL results, adjusted for league scoring and save percentage in each era. Shaded bars are the seasons left on his contract.
Contract by season
3 seasons left
| Season | Team | Cap hit | % of cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | TBL | $4.1M | 3.9% |
| 2027-28 | TBL | $4.1M | 3.6% |
| 2028-29 | TBL | $4.1M | — |
UFA after 2028-29. $12.3M in cap hits left. % of cap uses each season's ceiling where the league has set one ($104M this season, $113.5M in 2027-28).