The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired forward Ryan Dzingel and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin from Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forward Nick Ritchie and a 2023 third-round pick or 2025 second-round pick, as per reports on Saturday night.
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There was buzz a trade might be in the works when Lyubushkin didn’t dress for the Coyotes. Clearly, the pending trade is why he was being held out. He’s not an offensive defenseman but he does have a consistent track record of limiting scoring chances against. Kevin Papetti of Maple Leafs Hotstove describes him as a “stay-at-home type who plays a physical style. Decent skater and defender in transition, but needs to play with a strong puck mover. Bogosian like.” He’s played mostly with Jakob Chychrun this season but is also a pending UFA at the end of the season. There’s a chance he could supersede Justin Holl in the second pair as a right-shot d-man. Lyubushkin makes $1.35M against the cap and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Maple Leafs also get Dzingel, who is a fairly one-dimensional player at this stage, but offers some speed and depth at forward. He too will be a pending UFA at the end of the year.
Maple Leafs fans seem to be happy with the trade, but some are questioning the decision to add Dzingel as part of the deal.
Maple Leafs Were Able to Move Ritchie
The Coyotes will take on Nick Ritchie’s contract, a player the Leafs were hoping would answer the call in the wake of Zach Hyman departing the team. Ritchie was signed as a free agent on a two-year deal at a cost of $1.375 million per season. He’s struggled, being moved down to the AHL as the team looked for a trade partner. Perhaps he plays better for the Coyotes.
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Afp1961
February 20, 2022 at 8:35 am
Great trade for the leafs.
Move out 2.5m for this and NEXT YEAR..Allows Dubas flexibility to make yet another trade this year as well as options to resign Campbell Sandin Lily etc next.
I’m not worried about Dzingel. He can go to the minors if passed through waivers. No cap hit cost therefore. Another move must be coming. Go get a proper RHD2 or a LW2