In a recent interview, Ilya Lyubushkin shared that although there was mutual interest between him and the Toronto Maple Leafs for a return, he ultimately decided to leave due to one key reason.
For the second time in three seasons, the Leafs brought in Lyubushkin at the trade deadline to add physicality to their defense, this time acquiring him from the Anaheim Ducks. In exchange, the Leafs gave up their third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, while Carolina, which retained part of Lyubushkin’s salary, received Toronto’s sixth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
In an interview with Russian hockey outlet ICE, Lyubushkin opened up about his return to Toronto, his decision to leave, and his subsequent signing with the Dallas Stars. According to the translated interview, Lyubushkin explained that he left the Leafs because he felt they made him a low-ball offer.
“We couldn’t reach an agreement on the terms. The club was interested, as is typical in such situations. After the season ended, there was an exit meeting with the general manager. They made it clear: ‘We want to keep you, and we’ll negotiate with your agent.’ But when negotiations began, I didn’t feel much enthusiasm from their side. While they said they wanted to retain me, the terms offered were not acceptable. Both the contract length and financial terms were very challenging. Ultimately, that was their decision.”‘
Lyubushkin ended up signing a three-year deal with the Dallas Stars, earning $3.25 million per season. Given that he was likely to play on the Leafs’ third defensive pairing, the price tag seemed high, making it understandable why Toronto let him go. Instead, the Leafs opted for a more budget-friendly solution, using less than half of that annual salary to sign Jani Hakanpaa to a one-year deal after a lengthy negotiation process.
While Lyubushkin, or ‘Boosh,’ provided the physical presence the Leafs needed in the playoffs, Toronto managed to secure more significant upgrades in free agency. These new additions offer his level of physicality and more, which can be sustained over a full season—something the Leafs have been missing for years.
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