Ilya Lyubushkin
Ilya Lyubushkin was acquired by the Maple Leafs near the trade deadline last season in a three-team trade with the Anaheim Ducks and Carolina Hurricanes. In bringing back Lyubushkin for a second stint, the Leafs hoped he could add back some “boom” in their back end, but they did not and Lyubushkin was a liability.
He was never going to be a huge factor on offense, but he still managed 4 assists in 19 games during the regular season and another surprising 3 assists in just 7 games during the playoffs. More importantly, he hurt the team because his addition meant that a better puck mover wasn't playing, and this ultimately was the Leafs undoing.
Luckily, the Dallas Stars made a ridiculous three-year contract offer worth a whopping $9.75 million and the Leafs did not bring him back. Predictably, Lyubushkin has struggled to start the 2024-25 NHL season. In nine games to date, he has been held scoreless with just four shots on goal. More significantly, he is currently averaging just one hit per game, which is way below his career average of 2.4 hits per game. With his physicality being his main calling card, the Stars will need more out of the six-foot-two monster in the long run to get true value from his contract.
Joel Edmundson
The Leafs added Joel Edmundson from the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline last season, with delusinal hopes that his strong aggressive defensive play would come in handy come playoff time.
However, an undisclosed injury ended up keeping him on the sidelines in all but nine games during the regular season. He would be held scoreless during those nine games, while adding just one assist in seven games during the playoffs, and hurting the Leafs ability to move the puck and contributing to the inept offensive performance that eventually led to their elimination.
Edmundson landed a massive four-year, $15.2 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings this past offseason. Thus far, he has been impressive both offensively and defensively. Edmundson has scored 2 goals and recorded 2 assists for 4 points in just seven games while registering 15 blocks and 14 hits with only 4 giveaways while playing in their top-four. Even with his strong play to date, the Leafs were right to let him walk.