Ilya Lyubushkin Scouting Reports

Up to date stats before being traded from Anaheim to Toronto
55GP - 0G - 4A
51 PIMS (-13)
Averaged 17:08 TOI - all ice time came at ES and PK.
Credited with 112 hits / 138 shot blocks
Predictable player. Bottom pairing - right shot - defenceman who can match up against middle six forwards and find a role on the penalty kill.
Average plus skater. Below average puck skill. Very limited making plays. Simple is best. Glass and out when nothing available.
Expiring contract - Pending UFA - $2.75M AAV

Not much changes with Lyubushkin's game.
Defensive 'D'. Average puck skill. Average plus skater.
Gaps up. Plays with physical push back. Blocks shots.
Best suited as a bottom pairing 'D'
Averages 17 minutes TOI - Deployed at ES and PK.
Through 53GP - 0 goals - 4 assists - (-11) - 107 hits - 133 shot blocks.
Pending UFA - $2.75M Cap hit -

Lyubushkin is predictable. He only knows how to play the game one way. He's a physical / shut down defender who has average puck skill and brings very little offense.
There are nights his timing / routes to defend can be off - but he provides consistent compete and always willing to sacrifice / block shots in the defensive zone - especially on the PK
At the All-Star break - 47GP - 0G-4A - 51Pims (-9)
Averages 17:02 TOI - 13:59 ES - 3:01 PK -
Credited with 72 hits and 121 shot blocks.
Average plus skater. Third pairing.

Stay at home / leaning 'Defensive D'
Easily defined - all of his TOI comes at ES and PK - provides very little offense.
Job is to make life miserable on skill opponents with his physical presence.
Average plus skater. Adequate puck skill.
Managing the play in front of him is key to his contain success. When he's 'on time' he kills plays before they develop - but - there are times his routes and timing are off to the point he ends up on the wrong side of his check. Expiring contract. Pending UFA

Lyubushkin is easily identified.
He's a, mostly, stay at home defenceman who plays a heavy style.
He, and Gudas, combined are making life miserable on opponents early in the 23/24 season for the Ducks.
Lyubushkin is an average plus skater who needs to properly time his gaps and keep the play in front of him to be effective. If plays slip behind him he's not a great chaser trying to recover.
The bulk of his ice time comes at ES and PK.
Any offense he generates is a bonus.
His job is to keep the puck out of his net and play a physical / shot blocking style.
Through the first 14GP he's averaged 16:47 TOI - 13:47 ES - 2:58 PK
Exactly to his identity ... he has been credited with 22 hits and 35 shot blocks.

Good size
Right shot
Defensive 'D' . Used ES and PK.
Easy to evaluate. He plays a physical, low risk, complimentary game.
Gaps up in his lane. Simple with the puck. Solid bottom pairing option who can move into top 4 in a pinch