Maple Leafs Linked To Familiar Face From The Ducks

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for help on their back-end, and it only makes sense to look in every corner of the league. Who they are reportedly looking at is Ilya Lyubushkin of the Anaheim Ducks, per David Pagnotta.

Lyubushkin had a stop in Toronto for half a season back in 2021-22 when he was traded from the Arizona Coyotes. In 31 games, he recorded two goals, six points, 32 blocked shots, and 93 hits. This time around, the 29-year-old is with the Anaheim Ducks. With injuries, he has been playing on the second pairing and doing fairly well. He is a third-pairing defenseman ideally and can play a very physical game. This would come in handy for a playoff-bound Maple Leafs team.

He is a little overpaid at $2.75 million AAV for the remainder of the season, but the Ducks didn't have to worry about money when signing him. They could easily retain some salary if they make a deal with the Maple Leafs. They are looking at a lot of options on the back-end while multiple key defensemen are injured and fringe NHLers fill the defensive ranks in the NHL.

It is very likely that the Ducks will be moving on from Lyubushkin this season. He is a great type of player to have for the playoffs when the games get tougher. His only appearance in the playoffs came with the Maple Leafs in their seven game series loss in 2022.