{"id":455649,"date":"2026-02-12T14:36:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/455649\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T14:36:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:36:42","slug":"maple-leafs-need-to-think-carefully-before-gambling-on-raddysh-the-hockey-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/455649\/","title":{"rendered":"Maple Leafs Need to Think Carefully Before Gambling on Raddysh\u00a0 – The Hockey Writers –"},"content":{"rendered":"

As general manager Brad Treliving<\/a> and the Toronto Maple Leafs look to shift their focus on moving some pieces<\/a> ahead of the trade deadline, there\u2019s a lot of talk as to what could happen beyond that and in the offseason.<\/p>\n

From moving on from Morgan Rielly<\/a>, to looking at potential free agent fits, one name has started to emerge as a potential target for them once they get there. In a post in the Toronto Star, Nick Kypreos brings up Tampa Bay Lightning defender Darren Raddysh<\/a> as a potential fit for them. (from, \u2018Debate on Maple Leafs\u2019 direction is heating up as NHL trade deadline nears. The way forward may already be decided\u2019, Toronto Star\u00a0\u2013 2\/5\/26)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Raddysh is in the midst of a massive breakout season and is looking for a substantial increase on his contract. While his production and play this season is impressive, it\u2019s a scenario that comes with caution for the Maple Leafs.<\/p>\n

Raddysh\u2019s Impressive Breakout Season<\/p>\n

To see a 29-year-old have the kind of breakout performance that Raddysh is having is impressive. He initially went undrafted and has spent a great deal of time in the American Hockey League, playing for the Rockford IceHogs, Hartford Wolf Pack and Syracuse Crunch. In 339 AHL games, Raddysh has tallied 171 points, his most productive season coming in 2022-23 where he had 51 points.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"DarrenDarren Raddysh, Tampa Bay Lightning (Amy Irvin<\/a> \/ The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n

Since becoming a full-time NHLer, Raddysh has put up decent offensive numbers in his first two seasons in a depth role. He had 33 points in 2023-24 and improved on that the following season with 37 points. This season, he has been on an offensive tear and getting the opportunity to earn more minutes in a top-pairing role with Victor Hedman missing some time<\/a> in the first half. He has surpassed his best season in the AHL with 17 goals and 52 points in 49 games with the Lightning this season. He\u2019s on-pace for 26 goals and 80 points, is sixth among defensemen in points in the league and has taken the 10th\u00a0most shots at his position.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Among defenders that have played 600 minutes at five-on-five this season, Raddysh is 13th\u00a0in goals for percentage (60.87%), ninth in scoring chances for percentage (57.05%) and 13th\u00a0in high danger goals for percentage (62.86%) when he\u2019s on the ice. He has an insane amount of power behind his shot and continues to have a strong presence on both sides of the puck as his impact is felt.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Like his partner JJ Moser, Raddysh has very strong underlying results as well as some unreal on-ice puck luck. That pair has a 87% goal share(!) in 422 minutes including a .975(!) on-ice save percentage. I don’t blame Brisebois for playing the waiting game here. #GoBolts<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/cDDh2nRmRM<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/i2q0WoYNBw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Those are insane results and elite level production that will definitely get you a massive pay raise on your next contract. However, the Maple Leafs have been in this spot before and need to assess this scenario carefully without making a rash decision in the offseason.<\/p>\n

Raddysh Brings a Big Risk<\/p>\n

Players always want to get the max on a big pay day, especially after a breakout season. Raddysh definitely deserves that opportunity, especially with the salary cap continuing to rise. It\u2019s a weak class and he could be the top defender on the market.<\/p>\n

Related: Maple Leafs Reportedly Seeking 1st Round Pick for McMann<\/a><\/p>\n

As of now, CapWages projects his next contract to be a 4-year deal with a cap-hit of $5,327,771 million. While it\u2019s not an absurd price and term for Raddysh, going after a free agent who will only have three full seasons under his belt and is going to be 30, is a big risk to take and could be a recipe for disaster.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Raddysh\u2019s progression over the last few seasons has shown as he continues to elevate his game. But what if this is going to be his only \u201cbest season\u201d after he signs a lucrative deal and doesn\u2019t live up to that contract afterwards? This wouldn\u2019t be the first time to happen in Toronto as many are very familiar with the disaster the David Clarkson contract was in 2013. There would be a lot of questions and concerns paying a close to 30-year-old defenseman around $5 million after one very strong season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"DarrenDarren Raddysh, Tampa Bay Lightning (Amy Irvin<\/a> \/ The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not often you see a player late in their career be this productive, considering he spent majority of his time in the AHL. It\u2019s impressive, but let\u2019s face the fact, Raddysh is not in the same realm as Cale Maker, Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski or Evan Bouchard who have put up points consistently in their careers. It wouldn\u2019t be bad if the Maple Leafs see him as a second- pairing defenseman, but the risk still remains.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

He\u2019s definitely playing an important role for the Lightning and has performed beyond expectations, but is he worth taking that kind of a bet as his play as a top-pairing defenseman is in a very limited sample size? Yes, he has a booming shot<\/a>, can produce on the power play and still provide decent defensive play. If you\u2019re Treliving, are you for certain that Raddysh can replicate what he did this season and be as productive\u2013 at least 50- 60 points\u2013 during the duration of his next contract? There could be a lot of back-lash if it doesn\u2019t work out.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Related: Maple Leafs Could Make a Deal With Kings<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a great story and season for Raddysh and he deserves the pay raise. However, given his age, the potential projection of his contract and even history for the Maple Leafs paying money after a very strong season, they need to be extremely cautious if they target him in free agency. It\u2019s possible that Raddysh could continue to perform well, especially if he can hit the 50-point mark consistently.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If not, it\u2019ll add fuel to the fire on a fan base that wasn\u2019t pleased with how things are going.<\/p>\n

Statistics from Natural Stat Trick<\/a> and NHL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"SUBSCRIBE<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t