Maple Leafs could complete a family reunion by adding Darren Raddysh's brother

Newly acquired Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Darren Raddysh has an eight-year commitment with the franchise, and fans are eager to see how he fares in a new city.

Coming off a 70-point season, the Leafs are ready to add some offensive prowess to their blue line. Raddysh is what they've needed for a while now. A top pairing right-handed shot who can score goals on the power play, while generating offense through breakouts.

Now, the Leafs have an opportunity to create a family reunion of sorts in Toronto. Raddysh's brother Taylor is a winger for the New York Rangers, and he has something the Leafs need from their depth forwards: a scoring touch.

Darren Raddysh's Toronto move already carried a family connection bigger than hockey

Darren and Taylor Raddysh grew up as fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Growing up in Ontario, the Leafs were a favorite for many young hockey players. So much so that their late father always wanted to see at least one of his sons play for the team.

Of course, this family connection does not mean the Leafs are actively pursuing Taylor Raddysh. Nor does it mean Raddysh is requesting to join his brother in the Six. However, what this tells us is that a Taylor Raddysh acquisition would be more than your typical depth acquisition. It would be a family reunion with a built-in comfort level, but Toronto would still need the hockey fit to justify the move.

What makes Taylor interesting is that the family connection is secondary to the roster fit. Toronto spent the summer adding defensive forwards, but it still lacks a cheap bottom-six winger with a recent 20-goal season and a more offensive profile.

Taylor Raddysh would only make sense if Toronto gets more than a reunion story

Taylor Raddysh is a former 20-goal scorer with the Chicago Blackhawks. As it stands, additions like Nick Paul, Brandon Duhaime, Teddy Blueger, and Colton Sissons are mostly there to fortify defense and wear teams down. There is a lack of scoring within the Leafs' bottom six, and Raddysh could rectify that.

Raddysh not just provides scoring, but right-shot depth, penalty-kill utility, and injury insurance as well. When compared to a Duhaime or a Dakota Joshua, his role would be more focused on generating scoring, rather than checking guys all over the ice.

Raddysh's nine-goal season in New York suggests his offensive role has been limited, but that does not necessarily mean the Rangers are misusing him. The Rangers continue to acquire depth, which pushes Raddysh down the depth chart. This opens up an opportunity for the Leafs to strike.

Toronto should not pay a premium just to reunite the Raddysh brothers. But if the Rangers are willing to move Taylor cheaply, the Leafs could address a real scoring need while creating a family reunion as a bonus.

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