The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired blue liner Ilya Lyubushkin from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2025 3rd round draft pick.
Lyubushkin is no stranger to the Leafs organization, having previously played 31 games for the team during the 2021-22 campaign. The right handed defenceman isn’t going to dazzle opponents with his offensive prowess, but is a steady, bottom pairing defender who can block shots and take care of the puck in his own end.
Originally signed by the Arizona Coyotes as an undrafted free agent, Lyubushkin has registered 43 points (5G, 38A) across 334 career games at the NHL level. The 29 year old has also represented his country internationally, registering 4 assists in 7 games at the 2014 World Juniors with the Russian U-20 squad.
As part of the deal, Anaheim will be retaining 50% of the Moscow native’s salary. Toronto then involved Carolina to retain an additional 50% of the remaining salary in exchange for a 6th round draft pick in 2024.
Lyubushkin is in the final season of a 2 year $5.5M contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. Toronto is next in action vs. the New York Rangers in a 7pm ET showdown on Saturday.
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