Coyotes trade Lyubushkin, Dzingel to Leafs for Ritchie, 2nd-round pick
Feb 19, 2022, 8:48 PM | Updated: Feb 23, 2022, 11:20 pm
Ilya Lyubushkin #46 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during the second period of the NHL game against the New York Rangers at Gila River Arena on December 15, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Arizona Coyotes have traded defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin and forward Ryan Dzingel to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Nick Ritchie and a conditional second-round draft choice, the team announced on Friday night.
Ritchie, 26, is coming off of a career-high 15 goals with the Boston Bruins last season.
His career-best 31 points came in 2018-19 after he was selected No. 10 overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2014 NHL Draft.
In 33 games with the Leafs this season, the 6-foot-3, 236-pound forward has nine points on two goals and seven assists.
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Ritchie has 61 goals and 85 assists (146 points) in 383 career games in the NHL with the Leafs, Bruins and Ducks.
“We are excited to have Nick join our roster,” Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong said in a press release. “He is a big, tough, strong winger who will add depth and physicality to our forward group.
“We thank Ilya and Ryan for all their contributions to our club and wish them all the best in the future.”
Lyubushkin did not suit up for Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings at Gila River Arena in Glendale.
The 27-year-old Russian has been with the Coyotes organization since 2018, splitting time in the NHL and with the club’s AHL affiliate Tucson Roadrunners.
Lyubushkin totaled nine points on nine assists in 46 appearances for Arizona this season. He netted one goal and 18 assists in 100 career games in the Valley.
Dzingel, 29, had four goals and three assists for seven points in 26 outing for the Coyotes this year.
