Maple Leafs expected to target Darren Raddysh in free agency

Entering the summer, one of the biggest priorities for the Toronto Maple Leafs is to acquire a top-four defenseman, and a right-handed one at that. Keeping that in mind, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs are expected to target arguably the best right-handed defenseman available on the free agent market this summer.

That defenseman would of course be Darren Raddysh, who has been playing for Toronto’s division rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning, for the last several years. Specifically, Dreger said, “I’m told that the Maple Leafs absolutely covet Raddysh and they’re trying to create the cap space to make sure that they’re a big-time player again if he gets to July 1.”

If they’re willing to be aggressive, and there’s no indication they won’t be, the Maple Leafs should have more than enough salary cap room to poach Raddysh. Still, that relies on the presumption that Raddysh is interested in joining Toronto, even for the right price.

The Maple Leafs opened up additional cap space a few days ago, sending netminder Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers for goaltender Samuel Ersson and defenseman Emil Andrae. Although Toronto didn’t take on any actual dollars in return, both Ersson and Andrae are restricted free agents this summer, due for new contracts unless the Maple Leafs decide not to tender them a qualifying offer.

Back to their list of priorities, it’s evident the Maple Leafs are targeting a puck-moving blueliner to lead the defensive corps. Toronto has long hoped that Morgan Rielly would develop into this role, but aside from a few high-scoring seasons, he has not met the Maple Leafs’ expectations over the past two years. As a result, he is now considered a likely trade candidate this offseason.

Still, Raddysh isn’t a foregone conclusion to fit this billing, either. Throughout the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, Raddysh scored 12 goals and 70 points in 155 games with a +6 rating, averaging 18:15 of ice time per game. This past season, he exploded for offense, registering 22 goals and 70 points in 73 games with a +21 rating, averaging 22:42 of ice time per game.

Tampa Bay’s injury situation forced Raddysh into a top-pairing role, and he ran with it. Additionally, 26 of Raddysh’s points came on the power play, which would be extra enticing for the Maple Leafs, who finished with a 15th-ranked special teams last season.

The Maple Leafs will need to spend the next few weeks evaluating whether Raddysh is worth the significant investment required or if they believe his performance during the 2025-26 season was merely a temporary spike. At any rate, Toronto’s interest shows they are committed to icing a team that can compete for a postseason spot next season and is willing to utilize their cap space to make it happen.