Ilya Lyubushkin is back.
Following their 4-2 win over Arizona on Thursday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs re-acquired the blueliner in a three-team deal with the Anaheim Ducks and Carolina Hurricanes.
Indisputably, the kicker in the deal was having the Ducks and Canes combine to retain 75% of Lyubushkin’s $2.75-million cap hit. Any way you slice it, it was a shrewd piece of business by Brad Treliving and company.
Carter Hutton filled in for Jay Rosehill on the Friday edition of Leafs Morning Take. We kicked off the show by discussing the trade and what it means for the Maple Leafs moving forward. At this point, it’s very unlikely that Toronto’s done dealing. T-minus one week until the deadline.
Presented by Door Dash, The Appetizer focused primarily on the win against the Coyotes. Believe it or not, that was Toronto’s first regulation home victory against Arizona since October 17th, 2022, which weirdly enough, was the day Matthew Knies was born. The Arizona native potted a goal and an assist for the red-hot Maple Leafs, who’ve now won eight of their past 9 outings. Furthermore, we also dissected the Reaves/O’Brien fight and Alex Kerfoot’s return to Scotiabank Arena. You just knew he was scoring.
After that, brought to you by the Wendy’s Daily Faceoff Survivor, we previewed Saturday night’s highly anticipated tilt with the New York Rangers. Peter Laviolette’s squad has won 11 of their past 12. The game could also feature a heavyweight fight between rookie Matt Rempe and Ryan Reaves. There will be a buzz in the building —there’s no doubt about it.
Lastly, courtesy of Douglas, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger dropped by to dish on the Lyubushkin trade, Tanev going to Dallas, and what else Brad Treliving could aim to do ahead of the March 8th NHL trade deadline.
Jay Rosehill will be back for the Monday edition of Leafs Morning Take. Join us at 11 AM ET as we recap Leafs/Rangers. Plus, we’ll set the table for deadline week as well Toronto’s final two games of its five-game homestand.
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