Toronto Maple Leafs 2021-22 Defenseman and Goalie Grades

May 14, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) celebrates with forward Mitch Marner (16) and forward Auston Matthews (34) after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) celebrates with forward Mitch Marner (16) and forward Auston Matthews (34) after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 16, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) checks Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) during the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin  y Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Ilya Lyubushkin:

Ilya Lyubushkin recorded six points in 31 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs after being acquired in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes. He gave Toronto the physicality they were lacking.

As good as the hits were, that alone was not enough. Yes, Toronto needed his physical presence, but his need to be physical often took him out of the play and caused turnovers.

The playoffs were when Toronto needed him the most, and although he provided 28 hits in 7 games, it wasn’t enough.

The team’s possession numbers with him on the ice were not good. While he was on the ice during round one, Toronto only controlled the puck 42% of the time.

For reasons that remain inexplicable, the Toronto Maple Leafs made Morgan Rielly the most common partner of Lyubushkin, breaking up their 56% top pairing.  Predictably, this pairing did worse than Rielly/Brodie.

Why the Leafs thought this was a good idea, or why he dressed in the playoffs ahead of their best regular season defender are questions we’d rather not have the answer to.  He isn’t coming back, and that’s probably a good thing.