Photo credit: The Hockey News
As per multiple reports, the Anaheim Ducks have formally removed one of their defensemen from the lineup, in connection to a trade.
Anaheim Ducks Trade Ilya Lyubushkin
According to insider Pierre Lebrun, lya Lyubushkin has been pulled from the lineup and is heading to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Elliotte Friedman has also confirmed this.
Ilya Lyubushkin pulled from Ducks lineup tonight as Anaheim involved in trade talks. Hearing the Maple Leafs one of teams in those talks with Ducks.
Insider Darren Dreger has just reported that a third team is involved for salary rentention.
Leafs, Ducks and Hurricanes involved in ongoing trade discussions. It's believed, if the deal goes through Carolina will be used as 3rd party retention.
Lyubushkin, aged 29, joined the Anaheim Ducks from the Buffalo Sabres during the off-season in exchange for a 2025 draft pick.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall, the right-shot defenseman has recorded four assists, 51 penalty minutes, and a minus-13 rating in 55 games with the Ducks this season.
This marks Lyubushkin's second stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, having previously played 31 games for them during the 2021-22 season, contributing two goals and four assists.
Currently in the second season of a two-year, $5.5 million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $2.75 million, Lyubushkin is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the season.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Coyotes, Lyubushkin has amassed five goals and 43 points in 334 career games across stints with the Coyotes, Maple Leafs, Sabres, and Ducks.
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