Leafs’ Brad Treliving put through the wringer following Lyubushkin trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs felt the pressing need to acquire a right-shot defenseman after losing the Chris Tanev sweepstakes to the Dallas Stars, and late on Thursday night, general manager Brad Treliving pulled the trigger on a three-team deal that brings blue liner Ilya Lyubushkin from the Anaheim Ducks, thanks to brokers Carolina Hurricanes.

As part of the transaction, the Ducks will retain 50 per cent of Lyubushkin’s salary and receive Toronto’s 2025 third-round draft pick. The Hurricanes retain 25 per cent of Lyubushkin’s salary and get Toronto’s 2024 sixth-round pick.

Despite the fact that the Leafs lost Mark Giordano to injury during last night’s game against the Arizona Coyotes, in which top forward Mitch Marner moved to defense, Treliving stated that the trade had already started to come together before his veteran blue liner exited the game.

However, when the GM made the acquisition of Lyubushkin, he was put through the wringer as fans couldn’t believe they were brining him back to Toronto, with some even joking that the best deadline deal has been putting Marner on the back end.

What’s good from the trade made by Treliving is that he’s getting Lyubushkin for less than league minimum and could be working on another deal for added talent on the back end.

In the past, Toronto has been linked to Coyotes’ Matt Dumba, Nashville Predators’ Alexandre Carrier and Philadelphia Flyers’ Sean Walker, though the latter could command a first-round pick, which is what Treliving has been trying to avoid giving up in a trade for a defenseman.

Some fans are still hoping that a monster trade is in the works, which could bring now the most coveted defenseman in Noah Hanifin of the Flames to Toronto… however, Treliving wasn’t able to convince his former team to strike a deal with him for Tanev, and so, there might be little hope there.

A lot can change in the coming week, and that includes heat and pressure going up on Treliving to make another trade, one fans will appreciate, happen to bolster his team’s back end ahead of the postseason.

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