Inexperienced Lightning Defender Thriving in Top Four Role This Season

Winning the Stanley Cup is the highest of accomplishments in the hockey world. However, the cup tax comes with capturing the hardest trophy to win in sports. The Tampa Bay Lightning lost many key defencemen in recent years due to significant pay raises. This ripple effect created opportunities for players from the Syracuse Crunch to play in the NHL. One of those players from the AHL has developed into a top-four defender for the Lightning in just 86 games of experience. That player is Darren Raddysh, and here’s a look at how he’s done it and some stats to back it up.

The Stats Behind a Quick Development into a Top Four Defender: Darren Raddysh

The undrafted defenceman from Toronto finally earned a full-time job at an NHL level at 27 years old. After five seasons in the American Hockey League, Raddysh exploded in his final year in the minors. Raddysh recorded 51 points in 50 games for the Crunch, earning his ticket to the AHL All-Star game. His stellar play allowed Raddysh to appear in 17 games with the Lightning last season, where he notched three points. 

Raddysh’s skating and confidence caught the eyes of Head Coach Jon Cooper, who kept Raddysh in the lineup for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In six playoff games, Raddysh added a goal and an assist. His solid performance earned Raddysh a roster spot heading into the 2023-24 season on a thin Lightning blue line. On October 10th, one of our bold predictions for the Lightning this season was the development of Raddysh into a top-four defenceman, and this appears to have come true.

The Best Partner for Lightning Top Defender

It’s no secret Victor Hedman continues to struggle on the defensive side of the puck this season. His 3.08 expected goals against per hour (xGA/60) are the worst amongst the Lightning defence core by a mile. Cooper has yet to find a consistent partner for the Swedish blue liner this season, as his minutes are sporadic with numerous combinations. However, with Raddysh to his right, Hedman’s defensive results improve significantly. 

In 713 minutes of ice time without Raddysh at 5v5, Hedman allows 3.23 xGA/60. When Raddysh and Hedman are on the ice together (389 minutes at 5v5), they allow only 2.81 xGA/60. Hedman’s defensive shot quality rate drastically improves when paired with Raddysh. These results are not a coincidence. The numbers just further signal Raddysh’s stellar defensive play. 

Elite Defensive Metrics and Stats for Darren Raddysh

While Darren Raddysh has superb defensive metrics and stats across all models, we must provide context behind the numbers. To be clear, Raddysh does not face difficult competition, playing most of his minutes against middle-six forwards. His competition is inflating his defensive metrics. However, he improves every partner’s defensive results. Therefore, we must analyze his elite defensive metrics moderately.

When Raddysh is on the ice, the Lightning allow expected goals at a rate nine percent better than the league average this season, according to HockeyViz. Raddysh is covering the front of the next and not allowing shots from high-danger areas in the defensive zone. In addition, Raddysh has a defensive GAR of 3.8, according to EvolvingHockey’s Wins Above Replacement model. His 2.48 expected goals against per hour at 5v5 rank second on the Lightning amongst defencemen with over 350 minutes of ice time. With that, what other tools does Raddysh have in his game?

More Attributes of Raddysh

Outside of his defensive play, Raddysh is a solid puck-moving and transitional defenceman. Microstats data from All Three Zones places Raddysh in the 54th percentile of one timers per hour. Raddysh consistently finds one-timer plays in the offensive zone to generate scoring chances for the Bolts. He also does a solid job defending the rush to complement his defensive zone play.

Raddysh excels best in transition due to his confidence and skating. He isn’t afraid to lead the rush or join the play while maintaining a defensive mindset. The best attribute of his microstat profile is his defensive zone retrievals and exits. Raddysh ranks in the 54th percentile of defensive zone exits per 60, according to All Three Zones. Furthermore, his defensive zone touches has led to exits with possession for Tampa Bay. After breaking down his game, stats, and impact on the Bolts, what does all this mean for Darren Raddysh and the Lightning long-term?

Outlook for Raddysh and His Future With the Lightning

Based on his play and stats, Darren Raddysh is here to stay on the Lightning for at least the next two seasons. The Lightning have the 28-year-old defenceman under contract through the 2025-26 season at a cap hit of $975,000 per season. General Manager Julien BriseBois continues to sign cost-effective deals to keep the Lightning competitive. His work as a GM has been remarkable this season with contract extensions and the trade deadline.

Raddysh is now up to four goals and 22 assists for 26 points in 65 games, putting him on pace for roughly 33 points across 82 games. In his last game, Raddysh recorded a remarkable five assists for the Lightning on Saturday night. Below is a list of notable defencemen who recorded five or more assists in one game since the 1998-99 season via NHL Public Relations.