Lightning Defender Is Intriguing Contract Extension Candidate
The Tampa Bay Lightning are entering this upcoming season with multiple players on expiring contracts. Among the Lightning players who will be pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) heading into the 2025-26 season is defenseman Darren Raddysh.
When noting that Raddysh has become a nice part of the Lightning's defensive group, he is undoubtedly a contract extension candidate to keep an eye on moving forward.
Over the last two seasons, Raddysh has cemented himself a full-time spot on the Lightning's blueline. He broke out in a big way for the Bolts in 2023-24, as he recorded 33 points in 82 games. He then followed that up by scoring six goals and setting new career highs with 31 assists and 37 points in 73 games with the Lightning this past campaign.
Given how Raddysh is only continuing to improve, it would make sense if the Lightning looked to keep him around beyond this upcoming season. He has shown that he can provide solid offense from the point and work well on the power play, so extending him would have the potential to benefit the Lightning nicely. However, he will also be due for a raise from his current $975,000 cap hit, which is a bargain.
Lightning Young Forward Is Prime Breakout Candidate
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Geekie is one of the club's most promising young forwards. He was one of the main pieces that the Lightning got back from the Utah Mammoth in the Mikhail Sergachev trade last off-season, and the hope is that he will become a huge part of their future.
Geekie just completed his first professional season in 2024-25, and it was a decent start for the youngster. In 52 games with the Lightning, he recorded eight goals, six assists, 14 points, and 97 hits. While the 2022 first-round pick did not take off offensively with the Lightning during his rookie campaign, he demonstrated promise and made it clear that he can handle the physical side of the NHL.
Yet, when looking at how Geekie performed at the AHL level with the Syracuse Crunch in 2024-25, there is no question that he possesses good offensive upside. In 24 games with the Crunch, the 6-foot-4 forward scored 11 goals and posted 20 points. This kind of production is certainly encouraging, and now his goal will be to translate more of it over to the NHL level with the Bolts this upcoming season.
Now that Geekie has a year of experience under his belt, it would not be surprising in the slightest if he broke out for the Lightning next season. There is a lot to like about his game, and it would be significant for the Lightning if he takes that next step in his development. When noting that he also had 43 goals and 99 points in 55 games during his final year in the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2023-24, he certainly has the potential to be something special for the Bolts.
