Maple Leafs acquire Ilya Lyubushkin from Anaheim

BREAKING NEWS: As of Thursday night, the rumour mill started to go crazy following Toronto's win over Arizona. Not long after, it was official:

Trade call pending, per sources:

To #Leafs: Ilya Lyubushkin (75% retained)
To #NHLDucks: 3rd Rd Pick
To #Canes: 6th Rd Pick@DailyFaceoff
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 1, 2024

and the Leafs also receive the reserve rights to Kirill Slepets as part of the three-team trade
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 1, 2024

With Toronto trading their 2025 third round pick, they will not have any pick before the fourth round that year. Other trades can still be made that could change that, of course. But for now that's the situation.

The #leafs are acquiring Ilya Lyubushkin at a cap hat 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.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 1, 2024

This trade seemed to be necessary after Toronto lost yet another defenseman to injury.

Sheldon Keefe says Mark Giordano suffered a head injury.
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) March 1, 2024

Here's the replay of what happened:

Here's a replay of what happened to Mark Giordano. High speed into the boards. pic.twitter.com/7Ym0iacekn
— Pension Plan Puppets (@PPPLeafs) March 1, 2024

The Leafs originally acquired Lyubushkin at the trade deadline in 2022 in exchange for Nick Ritchie. Lyubushkin left the Leafs as a free agent after that season and signed a one year deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Then he signed with the Anaheim Ducks and now has come full circle.

But what's fun is that his first of two goals as a Maple Leaf was scored on now-Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov.