Photo: USA Today
By Michael Walters
Just prior to the Anaheim Ducks contest against the San Jose Sharks, it was announced Ilya Lyubushkin was held out for trade reasons. Shortly after there were several reports a three way trade involving the Ducks, Hurricanes, and Maple Leafs was made. The Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Carolina Hurricanes all later confirmed the three way trade.
Anaheim retained 50% of Lyubushkin’s salary(league maximum) and got Toronto’s 2025 3rd round draft pick in return. Carolina took on 25% of Lyubushkin’s salary and got Toronto’s 2024 6th round draft pick as a result. The Leafs also received the rights to Carolina prospect Kirill Slepets as part of the three way deal.
The Anaheim Ducks originally acquired defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres where the Ducks sent a 2025 fourth-round draft pick to Buffalo. Anaheim originally acquired the pick from Minnesota in the deal that sent John Klingberg to the Wild.
Analysis:
This trade is a win-win-win for everyone involved. The Ducks upgraded their 2025 4th round pick they gave up originally to get Lyubushkin for a 2025 3rd round pick. The Maple Leafs added depth to their blue line for their playoff push and the rights to a prospect. The Carolina Hurricanes snagged a 6th round pick in exchange for taking on 25% of Lyubushkin’s salary and the rights to Slepets.
For the 2024 NHL entry draft the Ducks have a 1st round pick, two 2nd round picks, three 3rd round picks, a 4th round pick, a 5th round pick, a 6th round pick, and a 7th round pick. The Ducks now have two 3rd round picks in the 2025 NHL entry level draft.
The Ducks will be busy this trade deadline. Sam Carrick, John Gibson, Adam Henrique, and Frank Vatrano are some of the other players who have been mentioned in trade rumors in recent weeks. We talked about various trade scenarios on the last podcast.
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February 29th, 2024
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