The Tampa Bay Lightning appear to have found another internal success story on their blue line, as defenseman Darren Raddysh has played his way into a far more prominent role within the organization. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the NHL Insider noted reported that Tampa Bay now views Raddysh as a “key part” of its power play and a long‑term piece of its defensive group, which has become a notable shift for a player who entered the league as a depth option.
Raddysh’s rise comes after a breakout 22-goal, 70‑point season, one that has given the Lightning a much‑needed boost as their veteran core continues to age. His ability to move pucks efficiently and run the top power‑play unit has added an element that the team has lacked since the departure of several key contributors in recent years. Head coach Jon Cooper has leaned heavily on Raddysh’s poise and distribution, and the results have pushed him from a secondary option into a central role.
The timing is also significant from a roster‑building standpoint. Raddysh played the season on one of the league’s most affordable contracts at a meager $975k, but that situation won’t last long. If Tampa Bay intends to keep him, he is in line for a substantial raise. Friedman’s report suggests the Lightning are well aware of that reality and may look to secure an extension.
Tampa Bay is projected to have just over $14 million in cap space entering the 2026-27 offseason, but that number shrinks quickly once roster spots and other pending decisions are factored in. Any new deal for Raddysh would need to fit within a tight structure, particularly with the Lightning still trying to maintain a competitive window.
Even so, locking in a productive right‑shot defenseman with power‑play utility would address one of the organization’s most pressing long‑term needs. Raddysh’s single-season emergence gives Tampa Bay a cost‑controlled contributor in the short term and a potential fixture on the back end as the roster transitions in the coming years.
Darren Raddysh is THE most intriguing FA this summer, Any GM that may bid for his services has to figure out if the defender is an anomaly, Or, A late bloomer.
No doubt Kucherov let them know they needed to keep him. They are not going to take away another right shot player.
The organization realizes this as well. There are not many right shot D out there, ignoring his offensive production.
Tampa should only maintain Darren Raddysh, if they can keep him at a moderate cap hit per year, meaning around $3MM or $4MM tops. Anything higher, is overpay as Raddysh won’t be producing at a 70+ point season next year, it was anomaly this season. He’s more of a 30 to 40 point player at best.
Furthermore, Raddysh’s playoff performance was underwhelming & very inconsistent overall. We’ll see what GM Julien BriseBois can muster with Raddysh’s contract extension.
The only wild card is if they are able to get Rasmus Anderson. If they do, they let Raddy walk.
Raddy is not staying for 3MM. In this market, he is minimal 5 x 5
I said $3MM or $4MM per year. I wouldn’t give him $5MM per year. That’s just overpay especially for a guy who’s never made $1MM or more in a single season. His numbers are not going to continually be 70+ points moving forward. This season was an anomaly for him as I expect around a 30 point drop off next season.
I agree with you, FTT; this isn’t a “breakout” year. No one has a “breakout” year at age 30. This is a freak year, and he’s absolutely going to revert.
But no, of course he isn’t staying for 3-4 MM and a relatively short term deal. Someone’s going to offer him 7 x 8, and in the skates of the Lightning front office, I’d let them, and blessings upon them.
5×5 is the magic signing #
If Tampa lets Bjorkstrand walk, which they should do, there’s no reason why they can’t keep Raddysh.
With the cap going up 10% and positive outlook, a long-term deal is preferable.
Raddysh’s numbers this season were in the $10M territory but the team should be getting a home discount and another one for signing long-term on the basis of a breakout season in a contract year.
7.5*8 or 8*8 should make sense to both parties. Expect $8M to be below the league avg in the last year of the deal.
No more than $4.5M, he is nice but not irreplaceable.
This is very similar to the Justin Schultz 2017 breakout. Top offensive team, loses 1D for extended period of time. 1D comes back, numbers regress to the norm. Buyer beware.
He’s good as gone. He will cash in on this year.
Min 7 a year. Book it.