Sid Seixeiro didn’t hide his surprise over Darren Raddysh being left off NHL Network’s top 20 defensemen list, and he made it clear the Maple Leafs’ newest blue-liner belongs in the conversation.
NHL Network’s ranking put Cale Makar at No. 1, Quinn Hughes at No. 2 and Zach Werenski at No.
- Evan Bouchard landed at No. 10, while Devon Toews came in at No.
- Shea Theodore of the Knights was listed at No.
- Raddysh, though, was nowhere to be found.
“So they put out a list of the top 20 defensemen currently in the National Hockey League. Do you know who’s not on the list? The Maple Leafs’ new number one defenseman, Darren Raddysh."
Seixeiro doubled down on that point, tying the snub to the season Raddysh just put together in Tampa Bay.
"Cale Makar is number one, Quinn Hughes two, Zach Werenski, Shea Theodore of the Knights at 19, Devon Toews of Colorado at 20. Darren Raddysh, hands down, has just had the best season of his career with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He better be on that list if you’re the Leafs.”
Raddysh arrived in Toronto in June through a sign-and-trade with the Lightning, landing an eight-year, $68 million deal.
For Raddysh, the move to Toronto carried a personal edge. He said joining the Leafs meant a lot because he grew up rooting for them with his brother and father.
“It means the world. My brother and I grew up being Leafs fans.
We’d go with our dad to watch the games. And to be able to put that jersey on, and to be able to play in front of the home fans, it’s awesome," said Raddysh via NHL.com.
He also said the early reaction from people close to him has only added to the moment.
“A lot of friends and family have already texted me and are excited. And I’m super excited as well to be joining the Toronto Maple Leafs.
I like the (Toronto) roster. They’ve got a lot of exceptional players, and I'm just fortunate to be a part of that.
You know, try and get to know the guys as best as possible early on and form chemistry."
Raddysh spent five seasons with Tampa Bay before the move, and last season he delivered a career-high 70 points and 22 goals.
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