Ilya Lyubushkin, the Ducks hardly knew ye.
On Thursday, eight days before the NHL trade deadline, the Ducks dealt Lyubushkin to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2025 third-round draft selection, roughly six months after acquiring the hard-nosed Russian defenseman from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2025 fourth-rounder.
That pick represents a profitable flip for general manager Pat Verbeek, though the Ducks did retain 50% of Lyubushkin’s remaining salary this season. The Carolina Hurricanes were also involved in the deal, retaining a quarter of Lyubushkin’s prorated cap hit and sending forward prospect Kirill Slepets to Toronto in exchange for the Maple Leafs’ 2024 sixth-round pick. Lyubushkin is in the final year of a two-year, $5.5 million contract and will likely become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Lyubushkin, 29, posted just four assists in 55 games as a Duck, but offense has never been his forte. His defensive play, mentorship to Russian countryman Pavel Mintyukov, penalty killing and physical edge were all assets to a fledgling roster with a first-time, first-year head coach. He had 112 hits and 138 blocked shots, placing him 11th in the NHL in blocks. He also ranked in the top 25 in shorthanded time on ice, with his nearly three minutes per game ranking behind only Cam Fowler among Ducks.
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“The Russian Bear,” as Lyubushkin has been known affectionately, has history with the blue and white, having played for the Leafs down the stretch in 2021-22. He posted six points and a plus-four rating in 31 regular-season contests and played all seven games of their first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
This could be the first of multiple trades for the Ducks, who can only fantasize about spring hockey for a sixth consecutive season, with free agent forward to be Adam Henrique being the most appealing asset likely available to contenders.