Lyubushkin logged an assist, three hits, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Blackhawks.
Lyubushkin has found some offense in November, posting three assists over his last three contests. The defenseman did not get on the scoresheet over nine games in October. That's not unusual -- he brings a physical element to the Stars' blue line, with little offense to add. He's recorded six shots on net, four PIM, 15 hits, 22 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating through 12 appearances in a bottom-four role.
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Stars' Ilya Lyubushkin: Contributes offense in defeat
Rotowire
Lyubushkin provided two even-strength assists in Friday's 6-4 defeat to the Panthers.
Lyubushkin's pair of helpers were his first two points of the campaign. The Russian blueliner added one shot, one block, two hits and a plus-2 rating in 18:33 of ice time to round out a solid fantasy performance. While Lyubushkin isn't known for his offensive prowess, he's currently paired with offensive-minded Thomas Harley, so there could be an opportunity for the former to challenge his career-high mark in points (15), which he achieved during the 2021-22 campaign split between Arizona and Toronto.
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Stars' Ilya Lyubushkin: Inks three-year agreement
Rotowire
Lyubushkin signed a three-year, $9.75 million contract with the Stars on Monday.
Lyubushkin had eight points (all assists), 57 PIM, 176 hits and 168 blocked shots in 74 regular-season contests between Anaheim and Toronto in 2023-24. The 30-year-old is likely to serve primarily on the third pairing with the Stars. Between Lyubushkin and Matt Dumba, who also signed a two-year deal with the Stars, Dallas is adding a lot of grit to its defense.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Logs helper in loss
Rotowire
Lyubushkin notched an assist and nine hits in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 4.
Lyubushkin has had a busy couple of days after making a round trip from Toronto to California to attend the birth of his daughter. The 30-year-old was able to avoid missing a game and now has two assists, 16 hits and three blocked shots over four playoff contests. Lyubushkin remains a steady part of the Maple Leafs' bottom four even as the team faces a 3-1 series deficit heading into Tuesday's Game 5.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Back at practice Saturday
Rotowire
Lyubushkin (personal) is back at practice Saturday and will be in the lineup for Game 4 versus Boston, according to Mark Masters of TSN.
Lyubushkin went to California after Wednesday's Game 3 loss to Boston and witnessed the birth of his daughter. Lyubushkin had four assists, 64 hits and 30 blocked shots in 19 regular-season games with Toronto after he was dealt from Anaheim at the end of February. He will team up with Morgan Rielly on the top defensive pairing for Saturday's tilt with the Bruins.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Misses practice Friday
Rotowire
Lyubushkin (personal) missed practice Friday, but he'll still be an option to play Saturday in Game 4 versus Boston, per Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun.
Lyubushkin left the team for the birth of his third child after Wednesday's loss to Boston. The 30-year-old rearguard is expected to return ahead of Game 4 versus Boston on Saturday. Lyubushkin had four assists, 64 hits and 30 blocked shots in 19 regular-season games with the Maple Leafs after he was dealt from Anaheim on Feb. 29. Look for Timothy Liljegren to remain in the lineup, should Lyubushkin be unavailable Saturday.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Records apple
Rotowire
Lyubushkin recorded an assist in Monday's 3-2 win over Boston.
Lyubushkin's secondary assist came late in the third period when Auston Matthews scored on a breakaway to put the Leafs up 3-2. The 30-year-old Lyubushkin was on the ice for two of the Maple Leafs' three goals and logged 13:40 of ice time. He will likely skate on the first defensive pairing with Morgan Rielly during Game 3 on Wednesday.
Lyubushkin (illness) will be in Sunday's lineup against Carolina, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Lyubushkin will return after missing the last three contests. The 29-year-old has two assists in seven games since joining the Maple Leafs.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Unavailable for Saturday
Rotowire
Lyubushkin (illness) will not be in the lineup against Edmonton on Saturday, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Lyubushkin will be out of action for his third consecutive game due to his lingering illness. In seven games since joining the Leafs, the 29-year-old defenseman has managed just two assists, four shots and 28 hits. Given his limited offensive upside, most fantasy players won't be impacted by his continued absence.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Under the weather
Rotowire
Lyubushkin is dealing with an illness and is not expected to play against the Flyers on Tuesday, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Lyubushkin still hasn't scored a goal this season, adding just six assists in 62 games for the Ducks and Maple Leafs. As such, few fantasy managers will likely be impacted by his potential absence, though he has racked up plenty of hits (140) and blocked shots (148) and could have value in formats that value defensive stats.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Expected to play Saturday
Rotowire
Lyubushkin (undisclosed) participated in Saturday's morning skate and is expected to be in the lineup versus Carolina, according to Mark Masters of TSN.
Lyubushkin was injured Thursday in Philadelphia. The Maple Leafs won't take any chances and will have Simon Benoit partake in the warmup prior to puck drop, just in case Lyubushkin suffers a setback. Lyubushkin has six assists in 61 games this season.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Questionable for Saturday
Rotowire
Lyubushkin (undisclosed) was not at practice Friday after getting banged up Thursday in Philadelphia, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
Coach Sheldon Keefe said the Maple Leafs are hopeful Lyububshkin will be able to suit up Saturday against the Hurricanes, but the team will wait to see how he responds at morning skate. Lyubushkin has two assists in six games with Toronto this season and chipped in with four helpers in 55 games with the Ducks earlier in the campaign.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Grabs first point since trade
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Lyubushkin assisted on the Maple Leafs' lone goal during Monday's 4-1 loss to the Bruins.
It's Lyubushkin's first point since being traded back to Toronto from Anaheim. The assist gives him no goals and five assists through 57 games. Clearly, the Maple Leafs believe he can help them push for a deep playoff run. However, fantasy managers should proceed with caution.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Good to go
Rotowire
Lyubushkin (head) is expected to play Monday against Boston, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
The 29-year-old Russian exited Saturday's win over the Rangers in the second period after absorbing a heavy hit from New York's Matt Rempe, but it appears Lyubushkin has already shaken off his issue. Lyubushkin, who's picked up four helpers and 116 blocks through 56 games between the Ducks and the Maple Leafs this season, is expected to skate alongside Morgan Rielly in the top four versus the Bruins.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Exits after heavy hit
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Lyubushkin (head) exited Saturday's game versus the Rangers, Joshua Kloke of The Athletic reports.
Lyubushkin took a heavy hit from Matt Rempe in the second period. This was his return to the Maple Leafs after being traded from the Ducks on Thursday. The Leafs are short on defensemen, so it's unclear what they'll do if Lyubushkin misses additional time.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin: Heading back to Toronto
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Lyubushkin was traded from the Ducks to the Maple Leafs via the Hurricanes on Thursday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
The Hurricanes will retain salary in the deal and receive Toronto's 2024 sixth-round pick, while the Ducks will get Toronto's 2025 third-round pick in the three-team swap, per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. Unsigned winger Kirill Slepets' signing rights were also traded from the Hurricanes to the Maple Leafs, LeBrun reports. Lyubushkin had six points in 31 contests with the Maple Leafs in 2021-22 following a trade from the Coyotes, and he added 14 points over 68 outings with the Sabres last season. He's been less effective on offense in 2023-24, with four assists and 38 shots on net over 55 contests with Anaheim, though he's added a physical element in a bottom-four role with 112 hits, 138 blocked shots and 51 PIM.
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Ducks' Ilya Lyubushkin: Returns to lineup Wednesday
Rotowire
Lyubushkin (upper body) will return to action Wednesday against San Jose, per Alyson Lozoff of Bally Sports West.
Lyubushkin hasn't produced much for Anaheim this year, recording only four assists in 46 games. The 29-year-old will look to help the struggling Ducks with his defensive play where he's logged 72 hits and 119 blocked shots on the season. He will line up on the third defensive pairing with Urho Vaakanainen against the Sharks.
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Ducks' Ilya Lyubushkin: Remains out Thursday
Rotowire
Lyubushkin (upper body) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Wild.
Lyubushkin will be out for the third time in the last four games. The 29-year-old defenseman has gone 12 contests without a point, so his absence won't be noticed much in fantasy. He has one chance to return before the Ducks' bye week -- Wednesday at home versus the Sharks.
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Ducks' Ilya Lyubushkin: Out Thursday
Rotowire
Lyubushkin (upper body) is day-to-day and won't play Thursday against Dallas.
Lyubushkin missed Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Rangers but was able to return for Tuesday's 4-2 victory over Buffalo. It's not clear if he's dealing with the same upper-body injury that cost him Saturday's game or if this is a new issue. Lyubushkin has four assists, 51 PIM, 72 hits and 119 blocks in 46 outings this season. Robert Hagg will draw back into the lineup due to Lyubushkin's absence.
