Ilya Lybushkin is the latest addition to the Dallas Stars revamped defensive depth after losing Chris Tanev, Ryan Suter and Jani Hakanpaa.
The Dallas Stars have signed right-handed defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to a three year contract worth $3.25 million per year.
The Russian-born defenseman spent a majority of last season with the Anaheim Ducks, but was ultimately part of a three team trade involving the Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs. He landed back with the Maple Leafs only two years removed from being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes during the 2021-22 trade deadline. Dallas had expressed interest in acquiring him at the deadline last season and was one of the final three teams in talks to acquire him before he finally made his way to Toronto.
In his first game with the Leafs, he took a huge hit and was briefly injured, but returned to play just under 20 games and match his point total from the 55 games he played in Anaheim. He finished with no goals and eight assists, recording four with each team.
Lybushkin went undrafted before breaking into the NHL with the Arizona Coyotes in the 2018-19 season. His most prolific offensive season came with the Buffalo Sabres in 2022-23, where he recorded two goals and finished with 14 points over 68 games. He is obviously more of a defensive stalwart, with any offense just a helpful but unexpected addition to his role.
Lybushkin is -33 in his career, but aside from his two stints with the Maple Leafs, has split time between three different franchises that haven't come close to fielding a playoff roster during his time there. In his two different spells with Toronto, he was +4 and +2, so as long as he has a strong team around him, it seems like he can create a positive impact on ice.
The Stars had a desperate need for defenseman on the right side, and after some long and expensive contracts were handed out to the top candidates, Dallas was left with these depth signings like Lybushkin and Matt Dumba. Dallas also brought Nils Lundkvist back on a one year deal, giving competition on the right hand side of the defensive group heading into the season.
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