Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe shares feelings about the addition of Ilya Lyubushkin
After icing 6 left-shot defenders in back-to-back games after Timothy Liljegren suffered an undisclosed injury, combined with the injury to Mark Giordano, it was clear that the Leafs needed some reinforcements, which GM Brad Treliving was happy to provide, pulling off a deal for right-shot blueliner Ilya Lyubushkin, who returns to Toronto after short stints with the Sabres and Ducks.
Lyubushkin wasn't viewed as a needle-mover ahead of the deadline, but for the Leafs, his ability to kill plays at their blueline combined with his physicality, PK abilities, shot blocking and the fact that he plays on the right side, the fit was just too good to pass up.
Sheldon Keefe spoke about the trade on Friday and seems quite excited to have Lyubushkin back in the fold in Toronto. Keefe spoke about the Russian defenseman in a very positive light after the trade, believing fully that Lyubushkin can help this group.
He is a right shot, and we have talked enough about that to know the importance of that. That in and of itself allows some things to settle into place, which is where the additional boost comes from.
Part of it is what Boosh himself brings. Part of it is how it impacts the rest of the D core. I think it is a good move and we are happy to have him. There is familiarity with the players and staff that was here. Everyone really enjoyed their time with him. I certainly did.
It was good timing, too, of course." - Keefe on the Lyubushkin addition
In terms of how involved Keefe was in the decision to bring Lyubushkin back, he confirmed on Friday that he and Treliving have had a number of discussions about the idea and confirmed that he had previously enjoyed coaching Lyubushkin.
You have confidence that he would fit in not only with the players who have been here but with the group, the coaching staff, and the training staff. At this time of the year, I think it is something to help with that transition for players coming into a team that is trying to win and be competitive. A guy who has some familiarity that can ease the transition is helpful."
If Keefe has his way, he told the media on Friday that he would like to have Lyubushkin in the lineup tonight against the New York Rangers, visa situation permitting, so we'll see where that goes and how Keefe plans to deploy him. Lyubushkin had some chemistry with Morgan Rielly the last time he was acquired by the Leafs, so that seems like a logical starting point for him in his second tour of duty in Toronto.
Source: NHL.com/MapleLeafs
| POLL | ||
MARS 2 | 529 ANSWERS Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe shares feelings about the addition of Ilya Lyubushkin Who would you play Ilya Lyubushkin with in his return to Toronto? | ||
| Morgan Rielly | 413 | 78.1 % |
| Jake McCabe | 70 | 13.2 % |
| T.J. Brodie | 46 | 8.7 % |
| Simon Benoit | 0 | 0 % |
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