Maple Leafs acquires Ilya Lyubushkin for a second time

The Maple Leafs executed a three-way trade on Thursday, securing defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin from the Anaheim Ducks. Interestingly, this marks the second occasion within two years that Toronto has made a trade to acquire Lyubushkin.

The move materialized on the same night that Toronto faced adversity, losing defenseman Mark Giordano to a head injury during a game against the Arizona Coyotes. In exchange for Lyubushkin, Toronto dispatched a 2025 third-round draft pick to Anaheim. Simultaneously, the Carolina Hurricanes engaged in the trade by sending a 2024 sixth-rounder to Anaheim and forwarding the rights to forward Kirill Slepets to the Maple Leafs. Notably, Toronto will assume only 25 percent of Lyubushkin’s salary, equivalent to $687,500. The Ducks will cover half, and the Hurricanes will contribute the remaining quarter.

This transaction marks the second time that Toronto has brought Lyubushkin into its roster. The defenseman initially joined the Maple Leafs during the 2021-22 season through a trade with the Coyotes, featuring in 31 regular-season games and seven playoff matches. Subsequently, he departed Toronto, signing with the Buffalo Sabres in 2022, and later traded to Anaheim last summer.

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Lyubushkin, aged 29, recorded no goals and four assists in 55 games with Anaheim during the current season. His extensive NHL career encompasses 334 games, amassing 43 points, consisting of five goals and 38 assists.