Even with the NHL trade deadline just a little over three weeks away, the most interesting chatter in Toronto isn’t about a rental for the playoffs—it’s about a fundamental reconstruction of the defense corps this offseason.
According to a new report from NHL insider Nick Kypreos in the Toronto Star, the Toronto Maple Leafs have their sights set on Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh as a primary target for when free agency opens on July 1. The 29-year-old right-shot defenseman is playing well in his contract year and is set to cash in, with Kypreos noting he would be the “perfect upgrade” to the Maple Leafs’ power play.
While the Leafs hunt for quick fixes now, this rumor suggests management is already looking at the big picture: a summer where the blue line gets younger, right-handed, and significantly more dangerous offensively.
The Long Game: Why Raddysh Fits the Summer Plan
MY TAKE: While fans are screaming for trades now, the reality is that Tampa Bay likely holds onto Raddysh as a “self-rental” for their own playoff push. That sets the stage for a bidding war in July, and Toronto intends to win it.
Raddysh is in the final season of a two-year contract with a bargain AAV of $975,000. While he was solid previously, he has exploded into a legitimate scoring star this season with 17 goals and 35 assists for 52 points in 49 games played. He’s playing with massive confidence, largely because he stepped up when Lightning captain Victor Hedman was sidelined.
He is poised for a substantial raise—likely in the $5M range—which the Lightning may struggle to afford given their cap structure. If he hits the open market on July 1, he becomes the exact archetype Toronto has lacked: a bomb from the point who plays the right side.
The June Buyout Window: The Rielly Domino
Here is where the offseason timeline becomes crucial. You cannot add a contract of Raddysh’s projected size without moving money out. If Morgan Rielly remains a Leaf past the trade deadline, all eyes turn to the June buyout window.
Kypreos suggests that if Rielly is not traded, he could be bought out to clear the necessary cap space. It’s a harsh reality, but signing Raddysh would represent a philosophical pivot for the Leafs—moving away from Rielly’s style to a right-handed shot who commands the offensive zone differently.
Raddysh might not be available for the Leafs (or anyone else) if Tampa finds a way to extend him before July 1. But if he walks, expect Toronto to be the most aggressive suitor on day one of Free Agency.
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