The NHL Network put out their annual list of the top players by position earlier. It has, of course, caused some chaos among several fan bases as it is a massive disservice for some people to not think highly enough of their players and how their favourite players are so much better than these other guys, and so on.
But now, it's getting some attention by the national media.
Darren Raddysh was one of the highest-producing defensemen last year, as the 30-year-old, right-handed defenseman scored 22 goals and 70 points in 73 games. An absolutely absurd breakout year as a late-bloomer. But, despite that, he's not on the list and it has caused a conversation.
Pierre McGuire goes to bat for Leafs' Darren Raddysh
On a recent episode of Toronto Sports Rush, longtime NHL analyst Pierre McGuire was a guest and he really went to bat for Raddysh and how he should be recognized as a top defenseman in the league.
Pierre McGuire on the Toronto Sports Rush Podcast about Darren Raddysh : ''Darren Raddysh didn't grow his brand on people because a lot of people didn't watch Tampa play. [...] But Darren Raddysh should be in that top 20 list, there's no question about that'' #NHL #LeafsForever… pic.twitter.com/5GBmsDz5ws
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"What I would say is Darren Raddysh didn't grow his brand on people because a lot of people didn't watch Tampa play. They didn't see the power play presence," McGuire said. "They didn't see the puckmoving presence. And basically, they didn't know he was that big a name. Well, he is that big a name. And what people don't talk about enough is how much slack he picked up in Tampa last year when Victor Hedman wasn't playing.
"There were good portions of the year where Victor Hedman did not play. And but yet, if you look at that top 10 or top 20 defensemen, Victor Hedman's still on that list. That's not a slate on Victor, by the way, who's a very good friend and somebody I respect a lot. But Darren Raddysh should be on that top 20 list. There's no question in my mind."
It's a fair point. This list is clearly not geared towards historic standing. Matthew Schaefer is listed as the seventh-best defensemen in the NHL after his rookie year. He might certainly be that, but after Raddysh scored 70 points and took on such a major role for a playoff team, should he not be highly thought of?
Especially considering that Hedman is right there at No. 18 on the list and he wasn't even the best blueliner on his team this season -- Raddysh clearly was. Even if you want to argue that J.J. Moser was a more impactful player, Raddysh had the scoring and was the quarterback on the power-play unit that was the main driver of the Lightning's success.
Maybe we'll just have to wait until Raddysh scores another 70 points in Toronto and pushes the Leafs back into the playoffs once again as their No.1 defenseman. Then, he will surely get on this list.
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