Should the Canadiens try to sign Darren Raddysh this summer?
The Montreal Canadiens should be looking to add another right-shot defenseman to their roster this off-season. Bringing in a blueliner for their top four, in particular, would be great for a Canadiens club that is looking to build off their successful 2025-26 season.
When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh stands out as an interesting potential option for the Canadiens to consider if he tests the market.
Raddysh just had a special season with the Lightning in 2025-26, as he set new career highs with 22 goals, 48 assists, and 70 points in 73 games. With numbers like these, he would have the potential to provide the Canadiens with another impactful offensive defenseman who can work on the power play.
Signing Raddysh would come with some risk, though, as the 2025-26 season was his best campaign by a significant margin. Before this season, his career highs were six goals, 31 assists, and 37 points, which he reached during the 2024-25 season. He also had 33 points in 82 games for the Bolts during the 2023-24 campaign.
Yet, even if Raddysh's numbers dropped a bit on the Canadiens, he would still have the potential to be a strong addition to their roster. He would give them another defenseman with size who is capable of providing offense from the point, and he could thrive on an exciting team like the Habs.