The Tampa Bay Lightning are entering this upcoming season with multiple players on expiring contracts. Among the Lightning players who will be pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) heading into the 2025-26 season is defenseman Darren Raddysh.
When noting that Raddysh has become a nice part of the Lightning's defensive group, he is undoubtedly a contract extension candidate to keep an eye on moving forward.
Over the last two seasons, Raddysh has cemented himself a full-time spot on the Lightning's blueline. He broke out in a big way for the Bolts in 2023-24, as he recorded 33 points in 82 games. He then followed that up by scoring six goals and setting new career highs with 31 assists and 37 points in 73 games with the Lightning this past campaign.
Given how Raddysh is only continuing to improve, it would make sense if the Lightning looked to keep him around beyond this upcoming season. He has shown that he can provide solid offense from the point and work well on the power play, so extending him would have the potential to benefit the Lightning nicely. However, he will also be due for a raise from his current $975,000 cap hit, which is a bargain.
Lightning Young Forward Is Prime Breakout Candidate
<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning">Tampa Bay Lightning </a>forward Conor Geekie is one of the club's most promising young forwards. He was one of the main pieces that the Lightning got back from the Utah Mammoth in the Mikhail Sergachev trade last off-season, and the hope is that he will become a huge part of their future.