The New York Rangers could have an interesting trade decision on their hands involving forward Taylor Raddysh, with a new rumor suggesting the Toronto Maple Leafs may have interest in acquiring him.
The speculation surfaced during a recent episode of the Toronto Sports Rush podcast, where host Kyle Andrew claimed he had heard that Toronto could be exploring a move for Raddysh. If the rumor eventually becomes reality, it would create an intriguing family reunion, as Taylor would join his older brother Darren Raddysh, who became a significant part of the Maple Leafs’ plans this offseason.
It is important to stress that the report remains unconfirmed, and there is currently no indication that a trade between the Rangers and Maple Leafs is imminent. Still, the possibility makes sense from several angles, particularly because Taylor is entering the final season of his two-year, $3 million contract and could be viewed as a movable depth piece.
During the discussion, analyst Pierre McGuire described Taylor as the type of player who can provide energy, versatility and defensive responsibility rather than being expected to carry an offensive line. McGuire suggested that Raddysh would not be a traditional top-six forward or a major point producer, but instead someone capable of filling whatever role the coaching staff assigns to him.
That profile could make Taylor attractive to Toronto if the Maple Leafs are looking for inexpensive organizational depth. His ability to contribute on the penalty kill and play in the middle six gives him some additional value, while his relatively modest contract would make him easier to accommodate financially than a higher-profile acquisition.
The potential reunion also carries a personal angle. Darren and Taylor have experienced an emotionally difficult period together, including the loss of their father following his battle with cancer. Reuniting in Toronto could therefore mean considerably more than simply becoming teammates for the first time at the NHL level.
Darren has already established himself as one of Toronto’s major offseason additions. The Maple Leafs acquired the defenseman from the Tampa Bay Lightning in June in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick before signing him to an eight-year, $68 million contract.
That commitment came after Darren enjoyed the best season of his NHL career in 2025-26. He scored 22 goals and collected 70 points, numbers that placed him among the league’s most productive defensemen. His 22 goals tied him for third among NHL blueliners, while his 70 points ranked seventh. His breakout campaign even earned him some consideration in Norris Trophy voting.
Toronto is hoping Darren can become an important part of the organization’s attempt to rebound after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season. The Maple Leafs finished only one point ahead of the Rangers in the Eastern Conference standings, making the need for improvement particularly obvious.
Adding Taylor could potentially give the organization another versatile forward while allowing the brothers to finally play together in the NHL.
Taylor’s career, however, has been considerably more inconsistent than his brother’s recent breakout. He established himself as an NHL regular with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2021-22 season and followed that up with a 20-goal campaign the following year. His offensive production subsequently declined, however, as he moved between three organizations and recorded only five, seven and nine goals over the next three seasons.
He did show flashes of what he can provide during his first season with the Rangers. Taylor opened the campaign with five goals in his first 12 games, including four goals over his first nine appearances. One of the highlights came on Oct. 23 against the San Jose Sharks, when he recorded his second career hat trick in a wild 7-6 overtime loss.
Unfortunately for both Taylor and New York, that early scoring pace did not last.
He went 15 games without scoring in November and added only four goals across his final 56 appearances. Still, he remained a useful middle-six contributor and finished the season with nine goals, 10 assists and a plus-five rating in 68 games. He averaged 11:50 of ice time per contest and also provided valuable minutes on the penalty kill.
The Rangers may nevertheless have reason to consider moving him.
New York has several younger forwards pushing for opportunities, potentially making Taylor more expendable. Tye Kartye, Adam Sykora and Jaroslav Chmelar all made progress during the second half of the season, while Will Cuylle is expected to receive an expanded third-line role. Matt Rempe is also healthy again, and first-year professional Liam Greentree is putting pressure on the organization for an NHL opportunity.
With those players competing for limited bottom-six positions, the Rangers could decide that Taylor’s roster spot is better used on a younger player.
There is also an interesting piece of history between the Raddysh brothers and the Rangers. Both players have been connected to the Blackhawks, Lightning and Rangers organizations at different points in their careers, but they have never actually shared an NHL lineup.
The Rangers acquired Darren from Chicago in February 2019 in a deal involving Peter Holland, but Darren never appeared in an NHL game for New York. He instead spent parts of three seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack, recording 47 points in 108 games before eventually joining Tampa Bay.
Taylor, meanwhile, was selected by the Lightning in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft, 58th overall, before beginning his NHL journey.
Now, years later, the brothers could potentially have an opportunity to finally become NHL teammates.
For the moment, though, the Taylor Raddysh-to-Toronto rumor should be treated cautiously. There is no confirmed indication that the Maple Leafs are actively negotiating a deal with the Rangers. But with Toronto already heavily invested in Darren, Taylor’s affordable contract and potential roster squeeze in New York, the idea is intriguing.
If the Maple Leafs genuinely believe Darren could help his younger brother rediscover his offensive confidence, or simply value Taylor as a reliable depth forward, a family reunion in Toronto could become one of the more fascinating trade possibilities to watch.
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