TAMPA, Fla. — Just three days after the Lightning lost out on a third straight Stanley Cup to the Colorado Avalanche, general manager Julien BriseBois was forced to have one of those unpleasant offseason conversations with a valued player.
BriseBois sat down with defenseman Ryan McDonagh on Wednesday and told the veteran blueliner that the team needed to explore trade options to keep a competitive window open.
“Not the most pleasant thing I’ve had to do in my tenure as general manager, but I’m sure it was even more uncomfortable for him because I know he didn’t want to leave the Lightning,” BriseBois said Sunday afternoon. “He and his family were very happy here both living in the community and being a key member of our hockey team.”
