Maple Leafs acquire Darren Raddysh, Mike Babcock cleared to join the Oilers, Jonathan Toews to announce his retirement, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
TSN: reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired defenseman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sign-and-trade deal.
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL Images).
Raddysh’s new contract, which will go into effect on July 1, is an eight-year deal worth an average annual value above $8 million. The Lightning are believed to be receiving a late-round pick.
The 30-year-old blueliner had 22 goals, 48 assists, 70 points, along with a plus-minus of plus-21 while averaging 22:42 of ice time per game. All of those stats were career highs.
Raddysh is completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $975,000.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Raddysh had back-to-back 30-plus point seasons before his breakout performance this season, which was largely due to his filling in for sidelined Lightning star Victor Hedman, especially on the power play.
This is the biggest move thus far by John Chayka, the Maple Leafs’ new general manager. It will mollify his critics, who weren’t impressed with his hiring of Jim Hiller as head coach and his trading away popular goalie Joseph Woll to the Philadelphia Flyers.
It remains to be seen if Raddysh can replicate his 70-point performance on the Maple Leafs. If he can, he’ll provide a big boost to their offense while providing much-needed puck-moving skill on the right side of their blueline. If he can’t, his contract will become a millstone that Chayka’s critics will happily hang around his neck.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The NHL completed its investigation into the reasons behind coach Mike Babcock’s brief tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets. It ruled that, “even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League.”
The decision clears the way for Babcock to be hired as head coach of the Oilers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This decision received an overwhelmingly negative response from pundits and fans on social media, but the Oilers aren’t concerned with the public’s reaction. Everyone in the franchise, from the team owner to management to the players, reportedly wants to bring in Babcock as their next head coach.
If they hire Babcock as expected, it feels like a desperation move by a club that came oh-so-close to winning the Stanley Cup two years ago but declined significantly this season as their roster weaknesses worsened.
Should Babcock somehow guide this team to the Stanley Cup despite its obvious roster weaknesses (including the glaring hole in net), he’ll be praised as a genius. If it doesn’t work (especially if Babcock’s reputation as a bully dominates headlines again), it could hasten the demise of the Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl era in Edmonton.
THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jonathan Toews is expected to announce his retirement on Friday. The 38-year-old center staged a comeback with the Jets this season after being sidelined for two seasons by health issues.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was clear that age and the time away from the game had taken their toll on Toews. He played all 82 games, but his 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points were career lows as he was unable to fill the Jets’ second-line center position.
Nevertheless, Toews’ 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks ensure that he’ll be a first-ballot inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He captained them to three Stanley Cups, won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010, the Selke Trophy in 2012-13, and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2014-15.
Toews finishes with 912 points in 1,149 regular-season games, and 119 points in 137 postseason contests.
TSN: The Boston Bruins will retire Patrice Bergeron’s No. 37 during a pregame ceremony next season.
Bergeron spent the entirety of his 19-season NHL career with the Bruins from 2003-04 to 2022-23. He served as team captain during his final three seasons, and won the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward a league-record six times. Bergeron also helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bergeron is eligible for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame this year. He’s expected to be a first-ballot inductee.
NHL.COM: Left wing Pierre-Edouard Bellemare has announced his retirement. His 700 NHL regular-season games are the most by a player from France. He had 64 goals and 74 assists for 138 points from 2014-15 to 2023-24 with the Philadelphia Flyers, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Seattle Kraken, along with 15 points in 85 playoff games.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Anaheim Ducks winger Troy Terry underwent surgery on June 9 to repair a right hip impingement and labral tear. He’s expected to be sidelined for five to six months.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils assistant coach Jeremy Colliton is leaving the organization to pursue other business opportunities.
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators have cut ties with winger Alex Formenton, making him eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Formenton was among the five players of the 2018 Canadian World Junior team charged with sexual assault and later acquitted.
KUKLA’S KORNER: Paul Kukla, who ran the hockey blog Kukla’s Korner, passed away earlier this week. He was among a group of pioneering hockey bloggers who rose to prominence during the 2004-05 NHL lockout, going on to carve out a long career covering the NHL, particularly the Detroit Red Wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I got to know Paul during that season-killing lockout, striking up an online friendship that lasted two decades. We frequently corresponded on all things hockey or to commiserate during the difficult times that come with being freelance writers.
When I was laid off by Fox Sports in 2011, Paul hired me to write a column for the 2011-12 season. I’m forever grateful to him for that.
Paul had been dealing with health issues in recent years, which at times required him to take some time away from his blog.
Nevertheless, the strong hockey community that he built never wavered, supporting him to the end.
Paul was an inspiration to aspiring hockey bloggers, providing a home for those trying to launch careers, and helping those (like myself) who were trying to keep a writing career alive during a low point.
Rest in peace, Paul, and thank you.