Bolts by the Bay
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2023 Trade Deadline Primer: Five Players the Lightning Should Pursue

By Stephen Parrino

VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 18: Luke Schenn #2 of the Vancouver Canucks waits for a face-off during the third period of their NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Arena on January 18, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Tampa won 5-2. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 18: Luke Schenn #2 of the Vancouver Canucks waits for a face-off during the third period of their NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Rogers Arena on January 18, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Tampa won 5-2. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Taylor Raddysh — RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Age: 24
Stats: 54 GP | 14 Goals | 10 Assists | -19 | 16:24 TOI/G
Contract: 2024 RFA, $758,333
Misc. Stats: 26 Blocked Shots | 59 Hits

Trade board rankings:

  • Daily Faceoff: 44
  • The Athletic: NR
  • TSN: NR

Taylor Raddysh is another familiar face to Lightning fans. After being sent to Chicago in the package for Brandon Hagel, he’s proven to be the player we would have hoped he would have turned into if he stayed in Tampa. He has become one their best puck movers deep in the offensive zone, has put up half-point-per-game numbers playing in Chicago’s top-six, and is second among forwards in corsi-for percentage.

Raddysh was not someone I expected, or wanted to see, traded at last year’s deadline as he was showing promise in a limited role at even strength and on the penalty kill. In particular, he and Ross Colton were developing a good connection on the ice. Returning Raddysh to our third line with Colton would give us a line we should be able to instantly rely on for defensive play and improved depth scoring.

Any trade talk concerning Raddysh had been quiet until he made an appearance on the Daily Faceoff’s recent trade boards. But with no specific interested parties mentioned, the potential demand and Chicago’s willingness to trade Raddysh is unknown. However, given Chicago’s current standings situation, they are not in a position to say no to a trade that will make them better down the line if the right offer comes their way.

Looking ahead, Raddysh has one more year on his contract with a cap hit below the league minimum salary. That would provide the team with max cap flexibility as they decide what to do with UFA Alex Killorn and RFA Colton after this season. And with the likelihood of a substantial salary cap raise looking bleaker than before, his low cap hit relative to his scoring production alone would be of considerable value to the team.

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