As general manager Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs look to shift their focus on moving some pieces ahead of the trade deadline, there’s a lot of talk as to what could happen beyond that and in the offseason.
From moving on from Morgan Rielly, to looking at potential free agent fits, one name has started to emerge as a potential target for them once they get there. In a post in the Toronto Star, Nick Kypreos brings up Tampa Bay Lightning defender Darren Raddysh as a potential fit for them. (from, ‘Debate on Maple Leafs’ direction is heating up as NHL trade deadline nears. The way forward may already be decided’, Toronto Star – 2/5/26)
Raddysh is in the midst of a massive breakout season and is looking for a substantial increase on his contract. While his production and play this season is impressive, it’s a scenario that comes with caution for the Maple Leafs.
Raddysh’s Impressive Breakout Season
To see a 29-year-old have the kind of breakout performance that Raddysh is having is impressive. He initially went undrafted and has spent a great deal of time in the American Hockey League, playing for the Rockford IceHogs, Hartford Wolf Pack and Syracuse Crunch. In 339 AHL games, Raddysh has tallied 171 points, his most productive season coming in 2022-23 where he had 51 points.
Since becoming a full-time NHLer, Raddysh has put up decent offensive numbers in his first two seasons in a depth role. He had 33 points in 2023-24 and improved on that the following season with 37 points. This season, he has been on an offensive tear and getting the opportunity to earn more minutes in a top-pairing role with Victor Hedman missing some time in the first half. He has surpassed his best season in the AHL with 17 goals and 52 points in 49 games with the Lightning this season. He’s on-pace for 26 goals and 80 points, is sixth among defensemen in points in the league and has taken the 10th most shots at his position.
Among defenders that have played 600 minutes at five-on-five this season, Raddysh is 13th in goals for percentage (60.87%), ninth in scoring chances for percentage (57.05%) and 13th in high danger goals for percentage (62.86%) when he’s on the ice. He has an insane amount of power behind his shot and continues to have a strong presence on both sides of the puck as his impact is felt.
Those are insane results and elite level production that will definitely get you a massive pay raise on your next contract. However, the Maple Leafs have been in this spot before and need to assess this scenario carefully without making a rash decision in the offseason.
Raddysh Brings a Big Risk
Players always want to get the max on a big pay day, especially after a breakout season. Raddysh definitely deserves that opportunity, especially with the salary cap continuing to rise. It’s a weak class and he could be the top defender on the market.
Related: Maple Leafs Reportedly Seeking 1st Round Pick for McMann
As of now, CapWages projects his next contract to be a 4-year deal with a cap-hit of $5,327,771 million. While it’s not an absurd price and term for Raddysh, going after a free agent who will only have three full seasons under his belt and is going to be 30, is a big risk to take and could be a recipe for disaster.
Raddysh’s progression over the last few seasons has shown as he continues to elevate his game. But what if this is going to be his only “best season” after he signs a lucrative deal and doesn’t live up to that contract afterwards? This wouldn’t be the first time to happen in Toronto as many are very familiar with the disaster the David Clarkson contract was in 2013. There would be a lot of questions and concerns paying a close to 30-year-old defenseman around $5 million after one very strong season.
It’s not often you see a player late in their career be this productive, considering he spent majority of his time in the AHL. It’s impressive, but let’s face the fact, Raddysh is not in the same realm as Cale Maker, Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski or Evan Bouchard who have put up points consistently in their careers. It wouldn’t be bad if the Maple Leafs see him as a second- pairing defenseman, but the risk still remains.
He’s definitely playing an important role for the Lightning and has performed beyond expectations, but is he worth taking that kind of a bet as his play as a top-pairing defenseman is in a very limited sample size? Yes, he has a booming shot, can produce on the power play and still provide decent defensive play. If you’re Treliving, are you for certain that Raddysh can replicate what he did this season and be as productive– at least 50- 60 points– during the duration of his next contract? There could be a lot of back-lash if it doesn’t work out.
Related: Maple Leafs Could Make a Deal With Kings
It’s been a great story and season for Raddysh and he deserves the pay raise. However, given his age, the potential projection of his contract and even history for the Maple Leafs paying money after a very strong season, they need to be extremely cautious if they target him in free agency. It’s possible that Raddysh could continue to perform well, especially if he can hit the 50-point mark consistently.
If not, it’ll add fuel to the fire on a fan base that wasn’t pleased with how things are going.
Statistics from Natural Stat Trick and NHL.
