--- title: "Raddysh lands eight-year, $68M deal in Toronto after Lightning swap" description: "Maple Leafs secure franchise defenseman at $8.5M AAV; Lightning land 2026 fifth-rounder in low-risk maneuver." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/darren-raddysh-moved-in-sign-and-trade-deal-ef1ece65 published: 2026-07-01T18:04:20.453+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T18:04:20.453+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Raddysh lands eight-year, $68M deal in Toronto after Lightning swap > Maple Leafs secure franchise defenseman at $8.5M AAV; Lightning land 2026 fifth-rounder in low-risk maneuver. Darren Raddysh finalized an eight-year, $68 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday after Tampa Bay executed a sign-and-trade that sent him to Toronto in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. The deal carries an annual average value of $8.5 million, locking Raddysh under Toronto’s cap through the 2031-32 season. The Lightning retained no long-term defensive depth at the position, but extracted draft capital in a move that preserves their ability to add talent later. Tampa Bay’s return—a single fifth-rounder—costs them nothing in cap space while netting a future selection, a low-risk outcome given Raddysh’s rights remain in the fold. Toronto gains a 25-year-old defenseman with 11 NHL games of experience, including five with Tampa Bay last season. The Leafs now have Raddysh under contract through his prime years, addressing a clear roster need on the blue line without surrendering current assets. The eight-year term buys stability but introduces cap risk if Raddysh underperforms or the NHL’s economic climate shifts. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported the agreement late Monday, confirming the Lightning’s 2026 pick as the sole return in the swap. The move follows Tampa Bay’s pattern of leveraging expiring contracts for future assets while maintaining flexibility. Pierre LeBrun of TSN called the deal a "win-win" for both sides, noting Toronto secures a long-term solution while Tampa Bay maximizes its draft capital without long-term commitment. ## Why this matters The Leafs add a franchise-caliber defenseman at a manageable cap hit, but the eight-year term risks locking in opportunity cost if Raddysh doesn’t develop as projected. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, turns an expiring contract into draft capital with minimal risk, preserving their ability to pivot in future free-agent markets. The swap underscores the Lightning’s preference for asset accumulation over retention when the upside is uncertain. ## Frequently asked ### How much is Darren Raddysh’s contract worth? Raddysh signed an eight-year deal worth $68 million, carrying an $8.5 million annual average value. ### What did Tampa Bay receive in the sign-and-trade? The Lightning received a 2026 fifth-round draft pick in exchange for sending Raddysh to Toronto. ### How many NHL games has Raddysh played? Raddysh has appeared in 11 NHL games, including five with Tampa Bay last season. ### Why did Tampa Bay trade Raddysh? Tampa Bay extracted draft capital while retaining Raddysh’s rights, a low-risk move given his limited NHL experience. ### What’s the cap hit for Toronto after this deal? The contract’s $8.5 million AAV increases Toronto’s long-term cap obligations but doesn’t require immediate asset surrender. ## Sources & Citations - [Darren Raddysh: Moved in sign-and-trade deal](https://www.rotowire.com//hockey/player/darren-raddysh-5823) — ClearSports (2026-06-19) --- Cite: Raddysh lands eight-year, $68M deal in Toronto after Lightning swap. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/darren-raddysh-moved-in-sign-and-trade-deal-ef1ece65