As defenseman Darren Raddysh approaches unrestricted free agency, speculation is mounting regarding his next contract and whether the Tampa Bay Lightning will be able to retain him. Following a remarkable season where his offensive production saw an unexpected surge, Raddysh is poised for a substantial pay raise from his current $975,000 average annual value (AAV) deal.
Hockey insiders suggest that Raddysh will be a highly sought-after commodity if he reaches the open market on July 1st, potentially emerging as the top defenseman available. Comparisons have been drawn to Arizona Coyotes defenseman JJ Moser, who recently signed an eight-year extension with an AAV of $6.75 million. While Raddysh’s impressive performance warrants a significant increase, it’s considered unlikely that the Lightning could match Moser’s figures due to salary cap constraints.
For Tampa Bay, a more ‘palatable’ offer would likely fall in the range of $4.5 million to $5 million AAV on a lengthier contract. General Manager Julien BriseBois is known for adhering to a specific price point for players, suggesting that if Raddysh’s demands exceed this range, he might explore opportunities elsewhere. A key question remains whether Raddysh’s success, particularly within Jon Cooper’s system in Tampa, can be replicated with another franchise.
