Toronto Maple Leafs acquire defenseman Darren Raddysh from Tampa Bay Lightning

The Toronto Maple Leafs completed a sign‑and‑trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning, acquiring defenseman Darren Raddysh on an eight‑year, $68 million contract averaging $8.5 million per season. The deal was structured so Raddysh signed the contract with Tampa Bay before being traded to Toronto, allowing the Lightning to retain the contract while receiving a 2026 fifth‑round draft pick as compensation. Raddysh, 30, posted a breakout 2025‑26 season with 22 goals, 48 assists and 70 points, ranking among the league’s top‑scoring blueliners. Toronto’s General Manager John Chayka praised Raddysh’s two‑way play and added him to strengthen the blue line. Analysts noted the contract could appear steep in today’s salary‑cap environment, but rising cap ceilings may lessen its relative impact in coming years. Speculation arose that the Lightning may have facilitated the move to avoid losing the player for nothing, given the modest draft‑pick return.