The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded defenseman Darren Raddysh of Caledon, Ontario to the Toronto Maple Leafs according to Rogers Sportsnet on Friday. In return, the Lightning are receiving the Maple Leafs’s fifth round pick in the 2026 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Raddysh has also signed an eight year deal worth $68 million. This means he will be making $8.5 million per season The fact that Raddysh is set to earn $8.5 million per season is noteworthy when you consider the fact he made only $1.1 million in 2024-25, and $836,000 in 2025-26.
The Maple Leafs become Raddysh’s second NHL team. He played the previous five seasons with the Lightning.
Raddysh had a breakout season in 2025-26. In 73 games, he had 22 goals and 48 assists for 70 points. He was a +21 with 72 penalty minutes, 26 power-play points, six game-winning goals, 212 shots on goal, 69 blocked shots, 67 hits, 14 takeaways, and 73 giveaways.
In 2025-26, Raddysh was seventh in scoring amongst NHL blueliners. He was behind Evan Bouchard of Oakville, Ontario (95 with the Edmonton Oilers), Zach Werenski (81 with the Columbus Blue Jackets), Cale Makar of Calgary, Alberta (79 with the Colorado Avalanche), Lane Hutson (78 with the Montreal Canadiens), Quinn Hughes (76 with the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild), and Rasmus Dahlin (74 with the Buffalo Sabres).
This was the first significant player transaction made by new Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka of Jordan Station, Ontario during his time with the Maple Leafs. Chayka was named the Maple Leafs general manager on May 3.
