Ilya Lyubushkin has signed a new contract with the Arizona Coyotes.

Solves one of two issues for the Coyotes regarding the expansion draft, although I'm not sure which one -- the open protection slot, or the need to have a qualifying defenseman other than Chychrun and Ekman-Larsson.

Good deal, useful 3rd pairing guy and qualifies for Seattle

I suspect management sees him as a full-time player next year then. Can't imagine they'd want the extra expense against the cap if they buried him.

He qualifies for the expansion, but I don't think he deserves any more than a 2-way right now.

The fact that it is only a 1 year deal is decent on his own. Now they will probably protect a pending UFA or resign the best one left at the end of the season and expose Lyubushkin. I could see them making a move to acquire someone this summer though. All in all, he's the one that will be exposed

Why?

He's 27, so he's likely in his prime right now.
Just decent analytics numbers.
Only 1 goal in 123 career games.
Only 2 points this season.
His defensive side of his game isn't that incredible although he is a solid shot blocker.

With that said, it's not like it's an awful signing, but I stick to my word that he should've got a 2-way. It's no big deal though.

Only plays limited 3rd line minutes, but his analytics have looked very good thus far. With this contract, I'd love to see the Coyotes elevate his role and see how good he really is.

Well, he is a defensive-minded D so the goals/points aren't the best way to assess him.
It appears that he's actually a decent defenseman defensively at even strength. He's a fine #6 D.

Ilya Lyubushkin, extended 1x$1.35M by ARI, has had great underlying numbers in a small role for the Coyotes. Hopefully this deal inspires the team to give him a little bit more of a chance. #Yotes pic.twitter.com/QSQUxtuc7s

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) April 18, 2021

I see what you're saying, but do you sign a #6 D for $1.35M?

Vancouver gave Jordie Benn $2 Million, so yes.

Also I hate to say this, but MB gave Edmundson (who he admitted was brought in to be the #5 defender) 3.5 Million, so it's fair to give a #6 $1.3M

Yes, I would sign a good defensive D for under $2M.

Yes.