With the 2026 trade deadline basically ancient history now, NHL rumors have focused on free agency.
Unfortunately, the relatively quiet trade deadline could lead the way to another even milder free-agency period. Contract extensions this season have wiped out the spectacular list of would-be free agents. That’s why the bulk of the attention has turned to players like Darren Raddysh of the Tampa Bay Lightning as the biggest names to potentially hit the free agent market in the summer of 2026.
Raddysh has become a hot commodity amid his unbelievable breakout season. That’s why he stands to get paid if he hits the free-agent market. And that’s a big “if.”
According to insider Pierre LeBrun, NHL rumors suggesting that Raddysh will be a major player in the UFA market could be nothing but that, rumors.
“The Lightning hope to keep him and eventually re-sign him.”
The Lightning’s efforts to hold onto Raddysh make sense. The team doesn’t have a prospect pipeline that could internally replace Raddysh. And with the thin free-agent market, the only way out is to re-sign Raddysh.
The Bolts already paid up this season by extending JJ Moser to a four-year deal with a $6.75 million cap hit. The club was fortunate to land Moser when they did. That’s why Raddysh is another blueliner they won’t let slip through their fingers. The biggest question will be, however, how much it will cost Tampa Bay to keep in mind the 30-year-old.
NHL Rumors Point Towards Raddysh Getting Paid
Raddysh is in the final year of a two-year deal with a $975K cap hit. That’s risible as Raddysh has been one of the best blueliners in the league this season. He picked a heck of a time to have this season, as he’s now in a position to get a big contract.
It’s tough to envision precisely how much Raddysh could land. With the thin market, NHL rumors posit that he could get somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 to $6 million AAV on a multi-year deal.
The Lightning will have about $15 million in cap space next season. But that cap space could quickly evaporate with Raddysh’s new contract.
Plus, the club will have to figure out if they’ll keep Olive Bjorkstrand, who’s also set to become a UFA. There will also be questions about newly-acquired Corey Perry and the looming contract extension for Nikita Kucherov.
Lightning will need to figure out if Raddysh’s season is a fluke
The biggest question for the Lightning will be figuring out if Raddysh’s breakout season is a fluke. His 17 goals and 58 points are a remarkable uptick for a player that has never topped 40 points.
That said, NHL rumors suggest Raddysh is turning into the real deal. That’s why the Lightning are willing to pay up. They can’t afford not to.
If there were other options on the market, or potentially available via trade, the Lightning might call Raddysh’s demand and see what the market does. But at this point, Raddysh is the best defenseman on track to hit the market.
So, Tampa Bay will need to pay up or lose him to someone who will.