When NHL free agency opens on July 1, Darren Raddysh will have no shortage of suitors, assuming he doesn't strike a lucrative deal to remain in Tampa Bay first. Coming off a season where he made history by scoring 22 goals and recording 70 points (surpassing Dan Boyle for the Bolts' single-season defense record), any team in search of a top-end puck mover will be calling.
Raddysh is the type of player who seemingly would be a great fit for the New York Rangers, but barring a complete surprise, it is unlikely he will be coming to Broadway.
Rangers already had their chance
Raddysh has slowly raised his profile over the last couple of years in Tampa, and in a contract year, he garnered headlines with a truly sensational performance. He is 30 years old with relatively low mileage for his age, making him an ideal target for a squad looking to turn the corner. While Chris Drury has the cap flexibility to make Raddysh an offer he can't refuse, this is a case where the history matters more than the money.
From 2018 to 2021, Raddysh was a veteran trying to make the jump from the AHL to the NHL within the Rangers' organization. He checked every box of an established pro who plays the game the right way, yet the closest he got to Broadway was a spot on the taxi squad during the 2020 bubble. During his tenure in Hartford, Raddysh served as an alternate captain and posted solid numbers, including 15 points in 24 games during the COVID-shortened 2021 season.
It is tempting to chase the one that got away
After leaving Hartford, Raddysh signed with Tampa Bay, proved himself with the Syracuse Crunch, and the rest is history. It’s a bitter pill to swallow when you realize that during the 2020-21 season, the Rangers opted to skate defenders like Anthony Bitetto, Libor Hajek, Jack Johnson, and Tarmo Reunanen in place of giving Raddysh his shot. While those players were primarily lefties, the Rangers have never been shy about playing defenders on their off-side; they simply didn't see the vision with Raddysh then.
It is hard to see the front office looking at him differently now, even with a 70-point season on his resume. While Raddysh likely doesn't hold a grudge all these years later, his emergence as an elite NHLer serves as a commentary on the Rangers' past developmental blind spots. As tempting as he may be for a team needing another puck handler to make Adam Fox's life easier, this is a classic case of the right player at the wrong time.
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