The Toronto Maple Leafs are acquiring defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin from the Anaheim Ducks in a three-team trade involving the Carolina Hurricanes, league sources confirmed Thursday. The Ducks will get a 2025 third-round pick and retain 50 percent of Lyubushkin’s salary. The Hurricanes will receive a sixth-round pick for retaining as a third-party broker, along with 25 percent of Lyubushkin’s salary.
The Leafs get Lyubushkin at a cap hit of $687,500 with double retention — less than the league minimum salary. That leaves plenty of room for further moves before the March 8 trade deadline.
Official trade call hasn’t happened yet but the deal will see Ilya Lyubushkin (50 percent retained by Anaheim) going to Carolina (which retains another 25 percent) then Lyubushkin to Toronto.
Ducks get a 3rd RD pick, ‘Canes get a 6th RD pick for retaining as third party broker— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 1, 2024
The 29-year-old was ranked No. 18 on The Athletic’s latest trade board.
Lyubushkin is a physical defenseman best suited for a third-pair role. He’ll kill penalties, finish checks and try to keep the play in front of him. Lyubushkin is also playing on an expiring deal and getting paid at a level reflected in his performance.
Through 55 games this season, Lyubushkin has four points (zero goals, four assists).
This story will be updated.
Required reading
(Photo: Wendell Cruz / USA Today)
