Now that the 2024 NHL trade deadline is in the books and the instant reactions have arrived, let's explore four players who were acquired near March 8th. Those listed in the following slides have already sidled in with their respective teams and have played so well during their initial appearances that a newcomer to the NHL may not think that they were new arrivals.
Plenty of players have put up fine performances, and quite a few more will make huge impacts once they are cleared to play, with Tomas Hertl and Jake Guentzel being the most notable names. But in the meantime, which names added near the 2024 deadline have performed as though they have been on their new team all season?
Ilya Lyubushkin was a pre-NHL trade deadline add who deserves recognition
Technically acquired just over a week before the trade deadline, Ilya Lyubushkin is one player who deserves special recognition across his first five games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. As you know, this is Lyubushkin’s second stint in Ontario, as he spent 31 contests with Toronto in 2022 and scored six points in that frame.
He returned to the Maple Leafs in a three-team deal that involved the Anaheim Ducks while the Carolina Hurricanes picked up a portion of his salary. And while the blueliner has just one point in five games (an assist), he’s been a force when Toronto doesn’t have the puck, and that’s exactly what the Maple Leafs need.
Lyubushkin has 15 hits already, which averages to three per game. He’s also logged seven blocks, has contributed on the penalty kill, and is currently carrying a 56.8 in the Corsi at 5-on-5. The latter number is rather enticing, considering his career Corsi For Percentage sits at 47.4.