Ilya Lyubushkin traded to the Anaheim Ducks by the Buffalo Sabers on Friday.
The Sabers received a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft for the defenseman. The pick was acquired by Anaheim in a trade that sent a defenseman John Klingberg to the Minnesota Wild on March 3.
“We are excited to add Ilya to our blue line as we target another defenseman for the right side this offseason,” said Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek. “He’s a big, physical, tough player who can kill penalties and make us tough to counter.”
Lyubushkin had an NHL career high of 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in 68 games with Buffalo last season. He ranks second on the team in blocked shots (104), behind the defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (132), and third in hits (99), behind the defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (107) and Dahlin (105).
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The 29-year-old will enter the final season of a two-year, $5.5 million contract ($2.75 million average annual value) and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Signed by the Arizona Coyotes as an undrafted free agent on May 23, 2018, Lyubushkin had 39 points (five goals, 34 assists) in 279 regular-season games for the Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Sabres. He had one assist in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games.