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The Anaheim Ducks announced yesterday that they’ve dealt defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to the Toronto Maple Leafs, as part of a three-team trade also involving the Carolina Hurricanes.
In exchange, the Ducks received a third-round pick in 2025, while retaining half of Lyubushkin’s salary.
TRADE: We have acquired a third-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Ilya Lyubushkin. #FlyTogether | @EandELaw https://t.co/PMpD9vm3n7
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) March 1, 2024
Lyubushkin provided the impact he was more or less expected to, playing in a defensive role. As part of a blue line featuring a lot of young talent, the defenseman was able to help stabilize the right side a bit and his absence could be felt for the remainder of the season. With Lyubushkin gone though, it does give more of an opportunity for the likes of Urho Vaakanainen and Gustav Lindstrom to establish themselves before the end of the season.
Given the Ducks’ position though, we can expect they aren’t done. They were able to snap their three-game losing skid against San Jose last night, but remain well out of the playoff picture with just over 20 games to go.
Adam Henrique is almost sure to be moved within the next week, and could provide a return that’s quite a bit better than what the Ducks were able to pull for Lyubushkin. Over the next week, Henrique’s status will remain one of the largest storylines for the team.