Darren Raddysh Trade Grades: Maple Leafs Fill Massive Need, Lightning Surprise with Unexpected Move
TSN reported the eight-year deal is worth $68 million, and Tampa Bay received a 2026 fifth-round pick.
- On Friday, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sign-and-trade deal, with the player signing an eight-year contract worth $8.5 million average annual value.
- Raddysh, 30, arrives in Toronto following a career-best season where he recorded 22 goals and 70 points, having filled in for injured Lightning teammate Victor Hedman.
- Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka praised Raddysh as "one of the NHL's premier two-way defensemen," while the Lightning received a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft as compensation.
- Avoiding unrestricted free agency opening July 1, Raddysh expressed excitement about joining the organization, stating, "I'm excited to be here for eight years and play for the team I grew up watching."
- The new deal represents a substantial raise from his previous two-year, $1.95 million contract signed in August 2023, securing Toronto's defensive roster for the long term.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Major Concern Revealed After Maple Leafs' Extension For Darren Raddysh
Since taking over the Toronto Maple Leafs, general manager John Chayka has made multiple moves both behind the Toronto bench along with their roster, the most significant of which has been the firing of Craig Berube and subsequent hiring of Jim Hiller, along with the trade of goaltender Joseph Woll to the Philadelphia Flyers.Meanwhile, Chayka pulled off another move earlier in the week, acquiring defenseman Darren Raddysh from the divisional riv…
Toronto acquires Darren Raddysh from Tampa, signs him to an 8-year contract
The Toronto Maple Leafs took a big swing at improving their blue line before the start of free agency, acquiring Darren Raddysh's rights from the Tampa Bay Lightning and signing the defenseman to an eight-year contract. Central New York hockey fans will likely remember Raddysh as he played 111 games with the Syracuse Crunch over two seasons between 2021 and 2023.
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