The Toronto Maple Leafs made a significant move today by acquiring defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin and the rights to Kirill Slepets in a trade involving the Anaheim Ducks and Carolina Hurricanes. As part of the deal, Anaheim will receive a third-round pick in 2025 and will retain 50% of Lyubushkin’s salary, while Carolina will receive a sixth-round pick in 2024 and also retain 50% of his salary.
Lyubushkin, a 29-year-old native of Moscow, Russia, has played 55 games for Anaheim this season, tallying four assists. In his NHL career, he has played 334 games and recorded 43 points. Standing at 6’2 and weighing 200 pounds, Lyubushkin was previously acquired by Toronto during the 2021-22 season and played 31 regular season games and seven playoff games for the Maple Leafs.
Originally signing with the Arizona Coyotes as a free agent in 2018, Lyubushkin brings experience and defensive skills to the Toronto Maple Leafs roster. The average annual value of his contract with the team will be $687,500.
