Coyotes sign D Ilya Lyubushkin to one-year contract

The Arizona Coyotes signed defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to a one-year, two-way deal on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Russian product played for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League and was still under contract.

“We are pleased to sign Ilya to a one-year contract,” Coyotes general manager John Chayka said in a release. “Ilya is a big, physical defenseman who skates well and moves the puck effectively. He will add size and toughness to our blueline.”

Contract details for Coyotes newly signed RHD Ilya Lyubushkin, per league source:
Salary: $832,500 ($70,000 AHL)
Signing bonus: $92,500
Performance bonuses: $425,000

— Craig Morgan (@craigsmorgan) May 24, 2018

He is considered a defensive defenseman with limited offensive skills.

At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, Lyubushkin registered 3-6-9 with 73 penalty minutes in 50 games this year. From 2013-18, he played in 257 games and recorded 12 goals and 24 assists in 258 penalty minutes with the KHL team.

Lyubushkin joins Jason Demers as the only right-handed defensemen on Arizona’s roster.

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