Anaheim Ducks player pulled from game due to imminent trade

As we come within weeks of the trade deadline now, teams are ramping up activity to solidify their rosters for the playoffs, or sell of their assets. One player expected to move at the deadline is Ducks' defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin, who was pulled from the lineup just moments before game time tonight, suggesting an imminent trade. The Ducks would only do this to keep the player healthy if a trade is about to cross the finish line.

UPDATE: Moments ago, the deal was announced to be done, sending Lyubushkin to Toronto in a three team trade.
https://x.com/frank_seravalli/status/1763405463587115387?s=46&t=OJ3caFWCfVeV0DWdJLHvAQ

Lyubushkin's been linked to plenty of contending teams looking for help with defence, including the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs are currently the favourites to land Lyubushkin in trade. It'd be a reunion's for the players and team, as Lyubushkin joined the Leafs after the deadline in the 2021-22 season.



Lyubushkin is a physical stay at home defenceman, and is under contract for the remainder of this season for $2.75M. The Leafs have plenty of space to take on his whole contract and not pay for salary retention, but if they were to do so, it'd limit what else they could do at the deadline.

As the trade deadline approaches, this Weill become a more common event, and fans across the league will be watching which players get pulled from games or practices at the last moment - indicating an imminent trade.