The Maple Leafs acquired their second defenseman in a week, but this one's an impact player. Toronto traded a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft to the Lightning for the rights to Darren Raddysh, then signed the pending free agent to an eight-year, $68-million contract ($8.5 million AAV). The deal has a full no-trade clause for six seasons, and a 16-team limited no-trade clause for the final two. Raddysh will receive a $10-million signing bonus and $32.5 million of the total contract will be paid out over the first three seasons.
Raddysh, 30, exploded offensively for Tampa Bay last season, scoring 22 goals with 48 assists in 73 games. In 176 games in parts of three seasons prior, Raddysh had 13 goals total, with 60 assists.
Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka said, “Darren has emerged as one of the NHL’s premier two-way defensemen, combining elite puck-moving ability with poise, competitiveness, and strong play in all three zones. He strengthens our blue line in every situation and is exactly the type of player we want helping lead this team.”
My take: A smart contract structure but a huge risk. Raddysh has had one season with more than six goals — last season — though he has proven to be a reliable puck-mover. He will immediately slot in on the first-unit power play and is a reliable defender. Chayka could do worse than retooling the Leafs from the back, but he's paying for one 70-point season — hardly proof of concept.
THE ASYLUM
Leafs trade for Raddysh
The Maple Leafs acquired their second defenseman in a week, but this one's an impact player. Toronto traded a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft to the Lightning for the rights to Darren Raddysh, then signed the pending free agent to an eight-year, $68-million contract ($8.5 million AAV). The deal has a full no-trade clause for six seasons, and a 16-team limited no-trade clause for the final two. Raddysh will receive a $10-million signing bonus and $32.5 million of the total contract will be paid out over the first three seasons.
Raddysh, 30, exploded offensively for Tampa Bay last season, scoring 22 goals with 48 assists in 73 games. In 176 games in parts of three seasons prior, Raddysh had 13 goals total, with 60 assists.
Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka said, “Darren has emerged as one of the NHL’s premier two-way defensemen, combining elite puck-moving ability with poise, competitiveness, and strong play in all three zones. He strengthens our blue line in every situation and is exactly the type of player we want helping lead this team.”
My take: A smart contract structure but a huge risk. Raddysh has had one season with more than six goals — last season — though he has proven to be a reliable puck-mover. He will immediately slot in on the first-unit power play and is a reliable defender. Chayka could do worse than retooling the Leafs from the back, but he's paying for one 70-point season — hardly proof of concept.
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