The Pittsburgh Penguins have reportedly been connected to Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin.

As the season rolls into 2024, teams across the NHL are digging in and beginning their search for what’s available on the trade market, and the Pittsburgh Penguins seem to have their hat in the ring.

In a previous 32 Thoughts article, insider Elliotte Friedman noted that the Penguins, who were in a bit of a rut at the time, are likely asking around about defensemen they could add.

The notion of adding a defenseman was backed up recently by David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period who released a recent trade watch list.

On his top 25 list, Pagnotta listed defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin as the 10^th highest target, and the Penguins were one of the team reportedly linked.

At 29-years-old and in the final year of a contract that will earn him $2.75 million against the salary cap, Lyubushkin is being seen as one of the top defensive trade pieces available.

Lyubushkin is a right-shot defender who brings some size and grit standing at 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, and has already tabulated 61 hits in 36 games.

Aside from his hit total, Lyubushkin hasn’t shown up on the scoresheet much for the Anaheim Ducks as a third pairing blue liner with only four assists on the year.

President and general manager Kyle Dubas stated recently that he hopes someone comes along and runs away with a role on the third defensive pairing and no one has really stepped up.

If that trend continues, Lyubushkin could be the newest option at the Penguins disposal.

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