Toronto-born defenseman should be the Maple Leafs' first call on July 1
Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
If the Maple Leafs wanted to add some hometown talent on the backend, they should be one of the first in line to give pending free agent Darren Raddysh a call.
It might be a little difficult this season for the Maple Leafs to make a trade considering the lack of assets the team holds, plus with the standings as tight as they are; many are waiting things out until the last minute.
That makes improving the team for this season a little bit more of a chore than usual, but Toronto has been linked to several high-profile names, especially for their defensive group such as Dougie Hamilton and Rasmus Andersson.
Darren Raddysh makes perfect sense as Leafs free agent target
However, if the team is patient and waits things out, they could end up as one of the first in line for pending free agent defender Darren Raddysh - who would fit perfectly with this rough-and-tumble Maple Leafs.
Raddysh is a player that has really stepped up the offensive part of his game in recent seasons, having 70 points over his last two seasons. But this year has been unreal for the 29-year-old.
He has 34 points in 35 games (12 goals, 22 assists) which is only three points off from tying his career-high, and he very well could reach the 20-goal, 40-assist mark this season.
That would be an incredible leap in production and while that would add to his price come July 1; Toronto needs to find the money to bring him in.
He's a right handed shot, he moves the puck, he's got a blistering shot (something the team really lacks), and while he's not overly physical is he known to block shots and he'll hit when he needs to.
Toronto can actually balance their defense on the cheap -- if they're smart
Raddysh is making under $1-million this season, so to say Tampa Bay is currently getting the best bang for their buck is an understatement. He'll likely end up getting at least $2-million per season which for Toronto is a fair price.
He'll be an immediate improvement over names like Philippe Myers, Simon Benoit, and would be a better replacement for Brandon Carlo on the right side; at least when it comes to puck movement.
With Raddysh in tow, and potentially an extension for Troy Stecher on the horizon, here's how the team could better balance things:
Rielly - Tanev
McCabe - Raddysh
Ekman-Larsson - Stecher
McCabe - Raddysh
Ekman-Larsson - Stecher
This is all depending on whether Toronto still holds onto Carlo or decides to deal him to make improvements elsewhere, but you'd have a very solid core locked up for the next couple of seasons at the very least (if they can stay healthy that is).
But if Raddysh is still available come July 1, and the Maple Leafs are looking for a truly impactful blueliner on the cheap, then they seriously need to throw a bit of a bag to bring him back home.