At the beginning of the 2024-2025 NHL season, Lightning fans were greeted with a brand new defensive core. To combat defensive struggles the year prior, drastic changes were made. Moves such as bringing back Ryan McDonagh and trading for J.J. Moser all culminated towards sparking a new defensive identity. Among other pieces of the defense was none other than Darren Raddysh.
Raddysh, who managed to earn his spot on the Lightning roster, saw a new role during the 2024-2025 NHL season. While his average ice time decreased from the 2023-2024 NHL season as per NHL.com, Raddysh saw time on the Lightning power play. At the end of the day, Raddysh had himself a career year with six goals and 31 assists for 37 points along with recording a positive nine plus-minus rating. Additionally as listed on NHL.com, Raddysh managed a career-high in power play points with nine. For a defenseman playing his second full season ever as a consistent hockey player in the National Hockey League as per NHL.com, Raddysh had a great year.
With the season over and done with, it begs the question: is Raddysh ready to take his game to the next level?
The depth of the roster is poised to be consistent and strong for the 2025-2026 NHL season. Raddysh figures to be a pivotal part of the Lightning‘s playoff push. For a team to win a Stanley Cup, they must be skillfully equipped to play a long postseason. In the playoffs, some teams get exposed for their weaknesses and ultimately pay the price of an early exit. No team can win on star power alone, so the Lightning must depend on Darren Raddysh moving forward.
Raddysh demonstrated his strong shot on the Lightning power play multiple times during the NHL season. His strength and shot are fundamental attributes of his play style. If Raddysh can refine his skills during the off-season, Raddysh can be a dangerous defenseman. He genuinely is a defenseman with promise and can truly be a solid piece for the Lightning. However, Raddysh needs to take productive steps towards the future should the Lightning wish to be dominant once again.
The 2025-2026 NHL season will be a big season for Darren Raddysh as he will become an unrestricted free agent during the 2026 summer as per PuckPedia. With his contract up at the end of next season, Raddysh will have an extra incentive to play his best hockey. He will need to play his best should he wish to receive an offer to stay in Tampa from the Lightning. Only time will tell if Raddysh is truly able to enhance his game next season. While the pressure will certainly be escalated for Darren Raddysh, fans will be cheering for him to have a great season. Look for Raddysh to hopefully have another career year once again come opening night.