Darren Raddysh may be one of the most difficult defensemen to price in 2026-27 fantasy hockey. The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired the right-shot blueliner from Tampa Bay on June 19 after a stunning breakout season in which he produced 22 goals, 48 assists and 70 points in only 73 games. Toronto then committed to him long term, giving Raddysh an eight-year contract as part of the move.
My early 2026-27 projection for Darren Raddysh is 16 goals, 50 assists and 66 points in 78 games, with approximately 24 power-play points. That is a slight step backward from last season, but it would still make him one of the more valuable offensive defensemen in standard fantasy leagues.
The reason I am not projecting another 22-goal season is simple: some shooting regression is likely. But I am also not treating his breakout as a fluke. Raddysh’s shot became a legitimate weapon, and NHL EDGE data showed he led the entire NHL with 97 shot attempts measured at 90 mph or faster last season.
Darren Raddysh 2026-27 Fantasy Hockey Projection With Toronto Maple Leafs
The most encouraging part of Raddysh’s breakout was that it wasn’t based exclusively on secondary assists or fortunate bounces. He became significantly more aggressive offensively, averaged 22:42 of ice time and generated 212 shots while producing 26 power-play points. His 22 goals also established a Tampa Bay franchise record for goals by a defenseman.
Here is where I have Raddysh finishing:
- Games Played: 78
- Goals: 16
- Assists: 50
- Points: 66
- Power-Play Points: 24
- Projected Fantasy Tier: High-end D2 with D1 upside
- Ceiling: 70-72 points
- Floor: 55-58 points
The 16-goal projection is intentionally conservative compared with last season. Ten of Raddysh’s 22 goals came on the power play, so assuming another double-digit power-play goal total immediately would be aggressive. At the same time, his heavy shot and increased volume give him a better chance of maintaining an above-average goal total than a typical offensive defenseman.
Why the Maple Leafs Power Play Keeps Darren Raddysh’s Fantasy Ceiling High
This is where the Toronto Maple Leafs become so important to Raddysh’s fantasy hockey value.
If Toronto deploys Raddysh on the star-heavy power-play configuration projected here with Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies and John Tavares, he will have plenty of opportunities to accumulate assists while also using that booming point shot.
Raddysh is currently expected by multiple fantasy/depth-chart sources to compete for or receive Toronto’s top power-play role. That deployment is important because last season’s breakout coincided with his emergence as a fixture on Tampa Bay’s first power-play unit.
There is, however, one reason fantasy managers shouldn’t simply pencil in another 70 points.
Moving away from Nikita Kucherov and Tampa Bay’s power play matters. Kucherov produced 130 regular-season points last year, and few players in hockey create offense at his level. Toronto has elite finishing talent, but Raddysh is entering a different offensive environment.
Toronto also has plenty of options for its power play, meaning training-camp deployment will be one of the most important Raddysh storylines to follow.
Darren Raddysh Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 249 | 35 | 108 | 143 | 24 |
| Playoffs | 20 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -7 |
My Fantasy Hockey Take on Darren Raddysh
I’m buying the player, but I’m not buying last season’s stat line as his new automatic baseline.
There is a major difference.
Raddysh doesn’t need another 22 goals to become an excellent fantasy selection. If his goals fall to 15 or 16 but he remains around 50 assists and 20-plus power-play points, you’re still potentially getting a top-15 fantasy defenseman.
A current independent fantasy projection has him at 14 goals, 51 assists and 65 points, which is remarkably close to my 66-point projection. That model also projects about 24 power-play points.
The leagues where I would target him most aggressively are formats that reward points, power-play production and shots on goal. In deeper category leagues that heavily emphasize hits and blocked shots, his advantage becomes somewhat smaller.
The biggest draft mistake fantasy managers could make is paying for another 70-point season as though it’s guaranteed. I’d rather draft Raddysh as a 60-65 point defenseman and enjoy the upside if Toronto’s power play pushes him back toward 70.
Toronto clearly views Raddysh as more than a one-season experiment. His new contract carries an $8.5 million annual cap hit for eight seasons, running through 2033-34.
Maple Leafs GM John Chayka acknowledged the gamble after the acquisition, calling it an “aggressive move” that was “not without risk.”
From a fantasy perspective, that’s almost exactly how I view Raddysh: aggressive upside with enough regression risk that you shouldn’t overpay.
Toronto Maple Leafs Fantasy Projection Module
Model note: the Fantasy Value Index is my editorial model using production upside, projected power-play role, shot generation, durability and regression risk. The 73/100 trade-value score weighs Toronto’s tiny acquisition cost against the considerable eight-year contractual commitment. The projected cap cost per point is simply $8.5 million divided by my 66-point projection; it is contextual analysis, not an NHL front-office valuation.
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