March 3, 2024 | 5:11pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
LEAFS STILL AFTER ANOTHER DEFENCEMAN
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired one defenceman this week and plan on making another addition to their blueline before Friday’s 3pm ET trade deadline.
On Thursday evening, the Leafs landed Ilya Lyubushkin from the Anaheim Ducks in a three-way trade with the Carolina Hurricanes and gave up two draft picks.
Leafs GM Brad Treliving has been planning on bolstering his defensive corps and adding Lyubushkin was the first shoe to drop. Even before Lyubushkin was injured during Saturday’s game, Treliving was looking to acquire two rearguards. The extent of Lyubushkin’s head injury is not yet known publicly, and that could affect the team’s plans this coming week.
With relatively no salary cap space to work with, any new addition to the roster will likely result in another player being moved out either via a trade or through waivers.
The Leafs are believed to have varying degrees of interest in such defencemen as David Savard of the Montreal Canadiens, Matt Dumba of the Arizona Coyotes, Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues, Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks and Joel Edmundson of the Washington Capitals, among others.
It is unclear whom the Leafs would consider moving out if they continue to add to their roster.
Treliving has also been scouring the market for a physical addition up front to deepen their bottom-six. As TFP’s David Pagnotta first reported last month, the Leafs have shown interest in Sharks forward Luke Kunin, who is in the final year of his contract and is eligible to become a restricted free agent July 1.