Raddysh’s press conference sounded like a goodbye to Tampa and the Maple Leafs should already be on the phone
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Darren Raddysh said goodbye to the 2025-26 season on Tuesday and his parting words as a pending free agent show perhaps Toronto needs to get on the phone.
As the Tampa Bay Lightning were eliminated in pretty unconvincing fashion by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, it led to a lot of questions about where the franchise is headed after their fourth straight early exit.
The fact they lost Game 7 with only nine shots against is astounding, and if Jon Cooper was secure previously about his job, then his chair just potentially got a little bit warmer. But it was a disappointing end to a season that had so much talent shine through.
Darren Raddysh's exit interview walks him out of Tampa Bay and right into free agency
One of those was defenceman Darren Raddysh, who exploded offensively this season and went from someone who you could rely on to get a handful of points to a dangerous point threat capable of running a power-play to aplomb.
Raddysh didn't get to expand on that in the postseason however, and as he cleaned out his locker and said his farewells to the Tampa media, it sounds like a guy who is headed elsewhere this summer:
Still shocked a bit, something we really didn't think would happen, but wake up Monday and it's different for sure.
I'm very thankful for everything Tampa has given me, they gave me a shot to play in the NHL. I can't say anything bad about this organization. It's given me everything I wanted to do; the business side will take time and let those guys deal.
Just going to enjoy being a dad and the summer; get back to it in a few weeks.
I'm very thankful for everything Tampa has given me, they gave me a shot to play in the NHL. I can't say anything bad about this organization. It's given me everything I wanted to do; the business side will take time and let those guys deal.
Just going to enjoy being a dad and the summer; get back to it in a few weeks.
Raddysh is expected to get a huge pay raise this summer and as one of the only premier free agents on the market, he is going to have his fair share of suitors — though whether Tampa is included is still unknown.
The Maple Leafs need to have Raddysh and his agent on speed dial ASAP
But the one team who needs to be on the phone ASAP with agent Craig Oster is the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lacking a serious point threat and puck-mover, Raddysh would give them exactly that despite being only a year younger than Morgan Rielly.
Raddysh, 30, had 70 points in 73 games (22 gaols, 48 assists) while also championing a strong defence with a plus-21, 69 hits and 67 blocks. 10 of his goals were on the power-play, and his possession numbers were gaudy on the PP.
He's also a right-handed shot and for a team lacking elite players on the right; he's a godsend.
The fact he made only $975,000 this season is astounding, and no doubt there are teams who are going to give him nearly 10x that when it comes to a new deal.
Toronto does need to be careful not to run into another Rielly situation, where we get a couple good years of Raddysh then immediate regression and an untradeable contract, so overspending on AAV in exchange for years is a worthy move.
Toronto could sign Raddysh to a four-year deal worth $8.75-million. That is more than Rielly but he would still be younger than him by contract's end, gives you more at both ends of the ice, and it's a deal that will appreciate the higher the cap.
If they get rid of Rielly that is a $7.5-million surplus right there, minus a whole slew of other names who could open up space. Suddenly there's room for Raddysh and maybe a couple other game-changers.
Is it risky for Toronto to commit yet again to an older player who may be a flash in the pan?
Absolutely.
But it was risky hiring John Chayka in the first place — so would you really be surprised?
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