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Buffalo Sabres: Breaking down Ilya Lyubushkin’s strengths, weaknesses

By Sion Fawkes

Feb 28, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals left wing Conor Sheary (73) chases in the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals left wing Conor Sheary (73) chases in the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 23: Ilya Lyubushkin #46 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to playing against the New Jersey Devils in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 23, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Devils 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Strengths

Lyubushkin will be 28 coming into the season and he already logged single-season career highs in blocks and hits with 92 and 187, respectively. He was only a part-time player when he first entered the league in 2018-19 before he saw more playing time in 2019-20 and beyond, eventually starting 77 games in 2021-22.

He also makes a phenomenal complement to some of the Sabres other prominent defensemen, especially to Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju, Jacob Bryson and Owen Power. Power and Dahlin are two-way defensemen, while Jokiharju and Bryson bring a no-frills approach to their game.

Here is what head coach Don Granato said regarding Lyubushkin:

"“He’s, obviously, different in the standpoint he’s more hard-nosed. We can use him in penalty-kill situations. He’s probably more physical than the rest of the group, and I think he’ll push guys in that group to be more physical. And I think our young guys will actually learn to pick up some of his traits. “Anytime you put more talent in your lineup and more experience, they’ll learn from each other. Owen can learn from Dahlin, and Dahlin can pick up some pieces from Owen.” – via Buffalo Hockey Beat."

What jumped out at me is, although Samuelsson and Fitzgerald are known for their physicality, the fact Granato stated Lyubushkin displays perhaps even more physicality. Another thing to remember is that Lyubushkin is already familiar with the Buffalo Sabres, having played against them three times as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and before that, a member of the Arizona Coyotes.

Overall, Lyubushkin’s physicality, experience, and leadership ability are among his most distinguishing traits. Regardless of where he lines up, the physical RHD also filled a legitimate need on the Sabres roster.

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