Former Sabres Defenseman Becoming Hot Commodity On Trade Market
Former Sabres defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin reportedly has several suitors.
© Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports - Former Sabres Defenseman Becoming Hot Commodity On Trade MarketDuring the 2023 NHL Offseason, the Buffalo Sabres traded defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick. Yet, although he is currently in his first season as a Duck, there's a real chance that he will be moved again before the deadline passes.
Lyubushkin, 29, is reportedly starting to generate plenty of interest in the trade market, too. According to The Fourth Period's latest Trade Watch List, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers, and Boston Bruins are all clubs linked to the right-shot defenseman.
Hearing that Lyubushkin is garnering interest in the trade market is not particularly surprising. He is a 6-foot-2, right-shot defenseman who plays an immensely heavy game. With that, he is on an expiring deal on a bad Ducks team, so he would be a solid rental for playoff teams looking to improve defensive depth on the right side and overall toughness.
As the deadline gets closer, it would not be shocking if more clubs express interest in him. In terms of this season's heavy-hitting defensemen available on the trade market, there are not too many more after Lyubushkin.
In 46 games this season with the Ducks, Lyubushkin has four assists, 72 hits, and a minus-9 rating.
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