After not being given a qualifying offer by Chicago, free agent Taylor Raddysh is confirmed to have signed a new contract with the Washington Capitals. The deal for the 2016 second-round draft pick will be worth $1 million for one year.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have signed forward Taylor Raddysh to a one-year, $1 million contract.
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 1, 2024
Taylor Raddysh Signs New Deal with the Washington Capitals
Taylor Raddysh’s new deal represents an interesting tipping point for the 26-year-old forward. Prior to the 2023-24 season, Raddysh appeared to be a player poised for a breakout year. Raddysh had scored 20 goals in his first full season with the Chicago Blackhawks. And he looked to have plenty of opportunities to build on that and become one of Chicago’s key contributors.
Unfortunately, Raddysh was perhaps one of the most disappointing stories for a Blackhawks team that was not expected to win, but did have aspirations of progressing. The winger scored just five goals and tallied nine assists for a total of 14 points in a bleak showing through 73 games played. Taylor Raddysh’s road block in development left many wondering just where his career could go from here. Ultimately the Hawks declined to make a qualifying offer, allowing Raddysh to become a free agent. Now, there’s some answers to those questions with Raddysh signing a new deal.
What remains to be seen, however, is whether Taylor Raddysh can get back on track. There are, after all, some encouraging underlying numbers for the player. For example, Raddysh logged a 46.4 Corsi-For percentage. While that doesn’t inspire too much confidence, this does represent a positive number (1.3 Corsi-For Relative Percentage) for a Blackhawk in 2023-24. Raddysh also shot at a much lower percentage than his career average in 2023-24. In 2023-24, Raddysh shot just 4.2% while he averaged 10.2% during his career. Last year was unequivocally disappointing, but there’s still a chance Raddysh can contribute on this new deal.
Raddysh’s NHL Career So Far
The Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Taylor Raddysh in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The winger played for the Erie Otters of the OHL prior to seeing his first NHL action during the 2021-22 season. The Chicago Blackhawks acquired Raddysh during that season and he has played in Chicago since.
Raddysh’s best year came in the 2022-23 season where he scored 20 goals, tying for the team lead. Over three years, the Ontario native has suited up in 225 NHL games and tallied 36 goals and 37 assists for 73 total points. Taylor Raddysh showed promise earlier in his Blackhawks tenure but after a disastrous 2023-24 season, this contract may be his last chance to get back on track.
Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
