Confirmed with Link: Leafs acquire Darren Raddysh for 2026 5th | Raddysh signs, 8 years, $8.5M AAV

[HamiltonNHL]

Why did TB do this for only a 5th rounder?

Raddysh was UFA

 

[The Masters]

Bingo. Agreed. Need an upper decker grand slam....

Wait....that doesn't sound right....

only $2.99 !

 

[Budz]

Why do we even bother drafting wingers then? C and D are more important positions, but you need good wingers too. A decade of Nylander and he who shall not be named should give us a look at how wingers are important.

Knies is a unique player with an incredible skill set. Trading him for positional need is incredibly stupid.

So is thinking he is some mythical player because he has a bigger body. Look - I like him as a person and player too…

…but if moving him makes the team better. Bye Felicia.

 

[Tak7]

The term makes me nervous for a guy who broke out at 30, on a team that didnt have Hedman for a chunk of the season or on PP1.

But I'm ready for something very different on that blueline, ans Raddysh represents that.

Hopefully the trade protection is reasonable

 

[CapspaceKiller]

Why did TB do this for only a 5th rounder?

He was going to Toronto regardless. He likely told them very early into this process.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

We got the biggest free agent and the number one overall pick and it’s not even July 1. There’s no guarantees in life and hockey and this could all go down in flames. But we’re already going down in flames, so who cares?

Well hang on. The biggest free agent in an underwhelming class doesn't exactly call for excitement in my opinion.

First pick? Love it. I'd completely abandoned any hope of that happening, thrilled that it did. Really hope the Leafs take McKenna, he's my definite preference, though I'm also big on Stenberg and Reid.

 

[notbias]

Well hang on. The biggest free agent in an underwhelming class doesn't exactly call for excitement in my opinion.

First pick? Love it. I'd completely abandoned any hope of that happening, thrilled that it did. Really hope the Leafs take McKenna, he's my definite preference, though I'm also big on Stenberg and Reid.

They got a top pairing RHD with a rocket of a shot... people have been whining about wanting this for a decade.

 

[Fogelhund]

Most higher dollar free agents aren’t undrafted D on 1 year 0.9 AAV deal.

I suppose Knies is our higher AAV guy with no trade protection.

Where you started, isn't relevant to where you are.

UFA's man...

 

[1specter]

Why did TB do this for only a 5th rounder?

He was probably going to Toronto anyways / it was his preferred destination, so better to get something back at all.

 

[cyris]

The term makes me nervous for a guy who broke out at 30, on a team that didnt have Hedman for a chunk of the season or on PP1.

But I'm ready for something very different on that blueline, ans Raddysh represents that.

Hopefully the trade protection is reasonable

I really don’t get the Hedman being out as a negative narrative I have seen about Raddysh.
Yes he got opportunities he wouldn’t have if Hedman was healthy. But he excelled in those opportunities and will get the same ones here.

And this is from someone pretty lukewarm warm about the signing

 

[Azure Doom]

It's simple. I don't trade Knies unless there are multiple high quality pieces coming back.

How many Americans will forego UFA bidding wars and a chance at a warm, no tax state to sign in Canada? You can say you don't know what he wants, but the fact is....he knows.

This, It has to be a landslide...5-6 pieces, quality high end prospects and pickes

 

[Fogelhund]

Why did TB do this for only a 5th rounder?

Better than nothing. Raddysh only wanted to play in Toronto near his family. His Dad passed this year... Mom lives in Toronto, Wife is from Toronto... sometimes this is important to people.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

They got a top pairing RHD with a rocket of a shot... people have been whining about wanting this for a decade.

Again. Fine with the player. Fine with the dollars. Concerned about the term. Never want to put yourself in a position where you end up hoping someone will take the contract off your hands. I don't like long term deals for players in their 30s.

 

[The Iceman]

Surprised it only cost a 5th to a division rival. This definitely checked a big box for this team and looks even better if Rielly can be moved.

And this is with no other GMs playing nice with Chayka.

TBs GM could have grinded for better than a 5th if he wanted to be a pr!ck

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Where you started, isn't relevant to where you are.

UFA's man...

It was my mistake getting pumped before the info came out.

With the cap going up, I was hoping AAV could be thrown around for team flexibility.

Makes sense that’s hope more than reality

It’s good players have more control of being traded these days. They aren’t just hockey cards

 

[Stephen]

Well hang on. The biggest free agent in an underwhelming class doesn't exactly call for excitement in my opinion.

First pick? Love it. I'd completely abandoned any hope of that happening, thrilled that it did. Really hope the Leafs take McKenna, he's my definite preference, though I'm also big on Stenberg and Reid.

You can only scoop up the ground balls that are hit to your area.

 

[Azure Doom]

Not sure how anyone can not like this move,,, 8 mil in 5 years will be nothing.. If he gets 15 goals and 50 points and can quaterback the PP then all is good.

 

[Fogelhund]

Again. Fine with the player. Fine with the dollars. Concerned about the term. Never want to put yourself in a position where you end up hoping someone will take the contract off your hands. I don't like long term deals for players in their 30s.

You pay to play. That's the market, either play in the market, or don't get the players... it's that easy.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Better than nothing. Raddysh only wanted to play in Toronto near his family. His Dad passed this year... Mom lives in Toronto, Wife is from Toronto... sometimes this is important to people.

 

[Peasy]

If you don't sign Raddysh, then what? Everyone knows we are on a short term window right now. Would you rather Andersson? Trading Knies for a more unproven young D? Leafs don't have many options here, and they are fine with cap space, especially if they can dump Rielly.

 

[dubey]

The term makes me nervous for a guy who broke out at 30, on a team that didnt have Hedman for a chunk of the season or on PP1.

But I'm ready for something very different on that blueline, ans Raddysh represents that.

Hopefully the trade protection is reasonable

So he excelled in a position that wasn't meant to be his

What am I missing

Chayka is the first GM to even make an attempt at getting us that elusive RHD with a heavy shot and he hit the mark on this one

 

[Stephen]

It's funny because they've done such a good job turning over their roster go remain competitive. They went from a competitive team with a Stamkos, St Louis, Palat, Hedman, Bishop core to staying with Hagel, Guentzel, Vas and Kucherov. They haven't been shy to make those tough decisions - but maybe this regime is a little different

I think they play the roster Jenga game better than most - and certainly better than us - but you eventually pull out the wrong piece and the whole thing topples. Also, considering the Atlantic division has seen Boston, Toronto and Florida all crash out in the last 2 years I think Tampa might be overdue for a season from hell.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Better than nothing. Raddysh only wanted to play in Toronto near his family. His Dad passed this year... Mom lives in Toronto, Wife is from Toronto... sometimes this is important to people.

when did you find out these key facts ? and where ?

 

[Fogelhund]

I think they play the roster Jenga game better than most - and certainly better than us - but you eventually pull out the wrong piece and the whole thing topples. Also, considering the Atlantic division has seen Boston, Toronto and Florida all crash out in the last 2 years I think Tampa might be overdue for a season from hell.

They dumped McDonagh... realized it was a mistake... got him back.

How much did they pay for Jeannot again? Yikes...

Every team has wins, every team takes losses.

 

[Zybalto]

The term makes me nervous for a guy who broke out at 30, on a team that didnt have Hedman for a chunk of the season or on PP1.

But I'm ready for something very different on that blueline, ans Raddysh represents that.

Hopefully the trade protection is reasonable

He popped off last season for sure but he was still good the year before.

Finished 38th in the league for PPG for dmen without being on a top PP.