Darren Raddysh is coming off a career season with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 6-foot-1, right-shot defenceman was third among all NHL blueliners with 22 goals to go along with his 70 points as he took over as the team’s No. 1 defenceman in place of injured captain Victor Hedman.
With his two-year, $1.95 million contract with the Lightning expiring at the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign, Raddysh had the pick of the litter as far as where he wanted his next stop to be.
After going through his options, Raddysh decided that the best place for his future would be playing close to his family in Toronto, signing an eight-year, $68 million contract as part of a sign-and-trade move.
“Growing up and watching the [Maple Leafs] every day, you always wanted to be like the guys on TV,” Raddysh told TSN’s OverDrive on Monday. “Every time you come back to Toronto, it’s always fun and special. To be able to do that every night is a dream for me and I’m just looking forward to the opportunity.
“I was definitely thinking about my family [in choosing to play for Toronto]. The last year has been pretty tough for my family.”
Raddysh’s father, Dwayne, was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer last May and passed away in March.
His father was a key part of his upbringing both on and off the ice and is looking to honour his memory in playing for the Maple Leafs.
“My dad was a big part of [the decision to join the Maple Leafs],” said Raddysh. “He grew up watching hockey and wanted us to play hockey. It was always a dream of his for my brother and I to play in the NHL.
“For us to get there is special but to play in Toronto is something that I can cherish and I’m looking forward to living out his dream.”
But Tampa Bay still has a big piece of Raddysh’s heart as he leaves the organization where he found the most success.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2018, Raddysh failed to crack the NHL in stops with the Blackhawks and New York Rangers organizations.
The Lightning took a chance on him when they signed him to a two-way contract in July of 2021 and he made his NHL debut in December of that same year after a number of Lightning players were ill with COVID-19.
In his first two seasons with the Lightning organization, Raddysh played mostly with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch until graduating into a regular with the big team the last three seasons.
With Hedman injured and out of commission for much of the 2025-26 campaign, the Lightning turned to Raddysh to lead the defensive corps.
“I think it was just getting the opportunity [last year],” Raddysh said of his breakthrough season in Tampa Bay. “I was on the power play and getting a lot of minutes, which helped.
“Everything just clicked in Tampa and I was fortunate to play with a lot of good players. I was just trying to make sure I was doing the right things, take it day-by-day, and give the best version of myself.”
As a native of Toronto, Raddysh is well informed of the pressure that comes with wearing the Maple Leaf. With the team entering its 60th season without winning the Stanley Cup, fans, media, and all stakeholders have opinions about what changes need to be made, especially after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years last season.
While Tampa Bay doesn’t have the same history in hockey as Toronto does, Raddysh feels that the two markets have a similar vibe. He also welcomes the media attention that comes with playing in Toronto.
“The markets are pretty similar in their own rights, but hockey takes the cake here in Toronto,” said Raddysh. “Hockey is bigger in Canada and Toronto especially. That’s what everyone talks about and rightfully so. Everyone here loves the game, and everyone wants to see the team do well.”
The Maple Leafs are going through major changes aside from bringing in the Caledon, Ont., native. Toronto revamped their front office with John Chayka taking over the general manager role and legendary Maple Leaf Mats Sundin joining as the senior executive advisor of hockey operations.
One of Chayka’s first moves was removing Craig Berube as head coach and bringing in former Los Angeles Kings bench boss Jim Hiller as his replacement. As well, the team made another big move by trading goaltender Joseph Woll and defenceman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers for goalie Samuel Ersson, blueliner Emil Andrae, and a draft pick.
Raddysh believes that the team is not done making moves as the draft and the start of free agency rapidly approaches.
“I think what they envision for this team is to get back to where they want to be and I think there might be some change,” said Raddysh. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and get to know all the guys. I want to get down there and get the season started.”
