Tampa Bay Lightning Makes Opening Offer to Darren Raddysh

The Tampa Bay Lightning has made their opening offer to defenseman Darren Raddysh, who had a breakout season with the team. Raddysh posted an impressive 70 points while playing on the Lightning's blueline, making him a sought-after unrestricted free agent. The Lightning's initial proposal, reported by insider Dave McCarthy, is a five-year deal with an average annual value of $5.75 million. However, this offer may not be enough to keep Raddysh in Central Florida, as he is projected to command a higher salary on the open market. Raddysh's performance this season has been remarkable; he became the franchise leader for goals by a defenseman in a single season with 22 goals, surpassing notable players like Victor Hedman and Dan Boyle. His career-high +21 rating and an average of 23:39 time on ice further highlight his value to the team. Despite his desire to remain with the Lightning, Raddysh has already attracted interest from at least three other teams, indicating that he could be on the move if the Lightning cannot match the offers he receives when free agency opens on July 1.