The Buffalo Sabres have announced they are sending defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2025, originally owned by the Minnesota Wild. It had been rumored for several weeks that Lyubushkin could be on the chopping block due to the logjam on defense in Buffalo, and a move finally came to fruition.
As most have known for over a month, the Sabres organization put themselves in a position to move out a defenseman prior to training camp opening in September. It’s not a bad problem to have for any organization, especially considering Buffalo made other moves to address a weak spot in their lineup. After free agency opened on July 1st this summer, the Sabres addressed this organizational need by bringing in defenseman Connor Clifton and Erik Johnson.
With a $2.75MM salary for the 2023-24 season, and both Clifton and Johnson being right-handed, Lyubushkin quickly became the odd-man out in Buffalo. The Sabres will now have a touch over $8.7MM in cap space heading into the season, with plenty of cap flexibility to make another move prior to opening night, and even more flexibility to make a large-scale trade deadline acquisition.
After moving out Lyubushkin, the Sabres organization still has eight defensemen that could conceivably make the opening night roster, an indication that they may not be entirely finished ironing out their lineup. The only area of tremendous concern in Buffalo should be the current standing of their goaltending situation, but all signs point to the team giving young netminder Devon Levi a legitimate chance at the starting role.
From Anaheim’s perspective on the deal, at face value, it appears to provide stability to an organization that has been lacking in that department for quite some time. Last season, Lyubushkin played in 68 games for Buffalo, scoring two goals and 12 assists. There is not one area of Lyubushkin’s game that he particularly excels at, as both his possession and defensive metrics are lacking compared to league averages. Nevertheless, the Ducks may be more content giving ice time to a league veteran of 279 games, rather than putting a younger player in an uncomfortable position to start the year.
Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff was the first to report Lyubushkin had been moved to Anaheim.
Figured he was the most desirable odd man out. A fourth in return isn’t terrible
A 4th and the cap space. Call it a win
Boosh is a quintessential bottom six defenseman. He’s carved out a decent career, and has known to lay down a big hit when necessary. Good luck in SoCal Boosh, you are missed in Arizona.
The man lays out punishing bone rattling hits.
Bottom 6 defenseman? There is only …6
He obviously means bottom pairing, but you knew that and just wanted to be snarky right?
Exactly RedKing22, A verbiage slip. I was sipping an Irish whiskey when writing that last night. Thanks for having my back!
A great loss especially when healthy.
Who would want stillman ? He and Bryson are Rochester bound
This could be sh***y for ZELLWEGER he might get bumped….