Nashville clearing cap space for a Mitch Marner deal?

McDonagh was part of two Stanley Cup championships with the Tampa Bay Lightning before cap constraints forced them to trade him to Nashville during the 2022 off-season.

After two seasons in 'Smashville' the Bolts have re-acquired the 34-year-old blueliner. In addition to McDonagh, the Bolts also acquired Edmonton's 2024 fourth-round pick while they sent a 2025 second-round pick and 2024 seventh-round pick to Nashville. In order to process the trade, McDonagh agreed to waive his no-trade clause and the Bolts agreed to take on his full $6.75M cap hit for the final two seasons of his deal.

The move gives Nashville more than $24M in cap space with a roster of 16 skaters for next season. The clearing of cap space when they did not necessarily need to make the move has led many to believe they are working on something bigger with speculation surrounding Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.

It has been reported by multiple people that the Predators have already contacted the Leafs about Marner's availability and this trade could signify the beginning of a massive deal being worked on between the two clubs. Time will tell.