Maple Leafs acquire Darren Raddysh in sign-and-trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired defenseman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sign-and-trade deal, securing the pending free agent with an eight-year contract. The transaction, announced on Friday, June 19, 2026, sends a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to Tampa Bay.

Raddysh, a 30-year-old native of the Toronto area, is coming off a career-best season. In the 2025-26 campaign, he set personal highs with 22 goals and 70 points in 73 games, establishing a new Lightning franchise record for goals by a defenseman. He also recorded 48 assists, a plus-21 rating, and averaged over 22 minutes of ice time. His performance positioned him as one of the top defensemen available ahead of free agency, which was set to open on July 1.

To prevent him from reaching the open market, new Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka moved quickly. The team finalized an eight-year contract extension with Raddysh as part of the trade. While the club did not disclose financial terms, multiple reports indicate the deal carries an average annual value exceeding $8 million.

In a statement, Chayka said Raddysh has emerged as one of the NHL's premier two-way defensemen, combining elite...